ASHLEY GILES has a network of helpers and mental health experts to ensure England’s cricketers are OK in isolation.
With the debate over whether the players will take pay cuts continuing, Giles is most concerned about their well-being.
The England team boss said: “These are young men full of testosterone who just want to be out doing what they love, whether it be playing cricket or any other activity.
“Some of them are probably climbing the walls, that’s young people for you. The well-being side is really important because circumstances are very different.
“But I’m very confident my team is on to it and my phone is always on for them as well. That applies to all our staff at the ECB, including those who have been placed on furlough.”
Giles’ network includes team psychologist David Young, doctors and medics and massage therapist Mark Saxby, whose role has been upgraded to embrace behaviour, mental health and well-being. He is a trusted sounding board for many players.
The 18 first-class counties are likely either to furlough players or insist on pay cuts, even though the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) have consistently regarded that as a last resort.
Either way, it is increasingly likely England’s stars will take a temporary 20 per cent salary cut.
Most of them are believed to be amenable to the idea, although they are keen to know where the money will go.
Giles has taken a 20 per cent drop, initially for two months, alongside other senior executives at the ECB.
The former England and Warwickshire spinner is involved in plotting out possible schedules for the summer but even that is shrouded in uncertainty because nobody knows how long coronavirus restrictions will remain in place.
It looks certain, however, that the County Championship will not take place for the first time in 130 years apart from during the two World Wars.
The controversial new Hundred competition is also set to be deferred until 2021.
England’s players have all been sent fitness equipment to try to make sure they are as ready as possible when cricket can resume.
Giles added: “They’ve all had care packages.
“Some will be fortunate to have space where they have their own equipment, whether it be indoor bikes or whatever.
“They have all been given programmes and I don’t think we need worry about them from that point of view.
“It’s the mental side that is the bigger concern. The dressing-room environment is almost impossible to replicate.
“It’s challenging for them but they are good mates, good blokes, and look out for each other.
“It’s the bigger picture, people are dying. It’s probably going to affect a lot of the cricket family and some of them directly.
“David Hodgkiss, the chairman of Lancashire who I knew well, died this week. Absolutely shocking. I think we are going to get more of that with such a big community within the game.
“When we’re given the all-clear to go, the boys will be desperate to put on a show.
“I think they will feel the responsibility of trying to help bring the country back to its feet.
“Once we are ready to go, it could help lift the nation a bit — whether that is cricket or football. We have a role to play.”
