ENGLAND'S county cricketers have agreed to accept pay cuts and to be furloughed by their county, if requested, as part of a support package announced by the Professional Cricketers' Association.

Seven counties - Derbyshire, Essex, Glamorgan, Kent, Leicestershire, Worcestershire and Yorkshire - have already placed players on furlough leave amid the coronavirus pandemic, but Somerset are yet to do so.

The County Championship was due to begin this week, but professional cricket has been suspended until May 28, at the earliest.

The PCA statement reads: "The Professional Cricketers’ Association is pleased to announce a collective player agreement that has seen all county players agree a support package to protect the domestic game.

"Discussions between the PCA, ECB [England & Wales Cricket Board] and 18 First-Class counties reached a conclusion today with all parties supporting an initial two-month agreement that will see maximum reductions to player salaries and relinquishing of domestic prize money.

"The agreement for an initial period of April and May will see players agree to being furloughed by their county, if requested, and also taking a reduction in their remuneration in order to be consistent with reductions that have been made to other non-playing staff at their county.

"The PCA have relinquished £1 million of the domestic player prize money for 2020 with the ECB reallocating this towards assisting First-Class counties in the implementation of the new 2020-2024 County Partnership Agreement.

"The reallocated funds will support the introduction of standardised player contracts across the game, in turn providing vital financial support to players who leave the game in 2020 and beyond."

Somerset made the "difficult decision to furlough a significant proportion of its staff" last week, but there has not yet been a statement specifically referring to playing and coaching staff.