Lancashire: Watling, Maxwell & Faulkner deals cancelled as staff take pay cut

Image source, Rex Features

Image caption, BJ Watling (left) was due for his first spell at Old Trafford, but Maxwell and Faulkner have played for Lancashire before

Lancashire have cancelled the contracts of their three overseas signings for the 2020 campaign, and all staff have agreed to a 20% wage reduction in May.

Australian pair James Faulkner and Glenn Maxwell and New Zealand's BJ Watling all agreed to mutually terminate their deals.

Lancashire retain the option to sign the trio for the 2021 campaign.

All English domestic fixtures have been cancelled until at least 28 May because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Watling was due to play in nine County Championship matches, while all-rounders Faulkner and Maxwell were set to join for the T20 Blast.

Meanwhile, the pay cut for all staff at Old Trafford was unanimously agreed to by the club鈥檚 players.

Lancashire director of cricket Paul Allott said all counties were facing 鈥渧ery uncertain and challenging times both financially and operationally鈥.

He told the club website: 鈥淐learly, we are looking at a condensed and truncated season, and whilst it is of course disappointing not to have any overseas players at our disposal, it does mean that we will be able to give our young and homegrown players increased opportunities.

鈥淚 would also like to thank the current Lancashire squad for agreeing to a 20% salary reduction for the month of May.

鈥淭he players were very keen that any salary reductions for them should be in line with the rest of the club鈥檚 staff.

鈥淚t has truly been a unified approach to what is a very difficult situation we currently find ourselves in.鈥