FIRST-CLASS counties will share in a £40million funding boost, as the England and Wales Cricket Board seek to support the professional and recreational game during the coronavirus crisis.
The 18 counties, county cricket boards and the MCC will receive their payment on Wednesday, while an additional £20million in interest-free loans and grants will take the full ECB rescue package to £61million.
Other measures have been introduced including promised payments being brought forward and previous restrictions of spending removed, to help mitigate the delay and possible cancellation of the season.
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said: "We understand these are challenging times and it has been our priority to provide swift and immediate support to all members of the cricket family at every level in England and Wales.
"We are fully aware that the situation with COVID-19 will continue to develop, and it will be months before the full financial fallout is made clear.
"We will continue to work with all of our partners to protect the ongoing health of the entire game in the short term and beyond."
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