Cricket in line to receive significant chunk of £300m sports recovery package
Cricket is in line to receive a significant chunk of a GBP 300million summer sports recovery package that the Chancellor is expected to announce at this week’s Budget.
The England and Wales Cricket Board, which revealed last September that the coronavirus pandemic had already cost the sport more than GBP 100m, with the overall financial impact likely to be double that amount, welcomed the support, describing it as “a lifeline for parts of the game”.
The LV= Insurance County Championship gets underway in April, more than a month before the earliest date limited numbers of fans might be able to return to sporting venues under the Government’s easing of coronavirus restrictions.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “As a huge cricket fan I know there’s nothing that says summer more than watching your favourite team.
“I can’t wait for sports grounds to be filled with fans with atmosphere again – this GBP 300m cash boost will help make that a reality.”
Other support sports like tennis and horse racing are also set to benefit from the recovery package.
Details on how the money will be distributed, how organisations can apply and timeframes are set to be announced in the coming weeks.
An ECB spokesperson said: “We welcome the Government’s intention to extend the support given to winter sports so that cricket and other summer sports are given a financial safety net and are able to bid as well.
“Playing behind closed doors for all of last season has already had a severe financial impact on cricket and that will continue this year until full crowds are able to return, while the recreational game has also suffered financially.
“This support could be a lifeline for parts of the game and we look forward to seeing the full details of how this funding will be distributed and how organisations can apply.”
Latest
-
News
Andrew Flintoff set to make mark as Northern Superchargers open Hundred draft
The former England captain and 2005 Ashes hero will act as head coach for the Headingley-based side this summer.
-
Women's Cricket
It’s a lot of fun – Heather Knight still enjoying captaining England
Knight succeeded Charlotte Edwards, who had a decade-long stint in the position, in June 2016.
-
England
On this day in 2018: Kevin Pietersen retires from professional cricket
The latter years of the Pietermaritzburg-born maverick’s career were spent on the T20 circuit.
-
England
Jofra Archer snaps off stump on impressive return from injury in India
The 28-year-old took two for 22 in seven overs.
-
County Cricket
Darren Gough steps down as managing director of cricket at Yorkshire
Gough said it was the “right time” to move on having been in the post since December 2021.
-
England
On this day in 2004: Steve Harmison takes seven for 12 against West Indies
The pace bowler produced a devastating spell at Sabina Park 20 years ago.
-
England
Jos Buttler feels refreshed and ready to enjoy ‘best years’ of his career
England’s white-ball team endured a poor 2023 which culminated in the disastrous defence of their World Cup crown in India.
-
England
Jos Buttler confident ‘special cricketer’ Jofra Archer will be fit for World Cup
Archer has not represented his country since last March when he featured in a T20 match in Bangladesh.
-
Indian Premier League
England batter Harry Brook withdraws from IPL following death of his grandmother
Brook pulled out of England’s five-Test tour to India before the squad flew out from their training camp in the United Arab Emirates.