Ravi Ashwin and Nicholas Pooran have Yorkshire CCC deals cancelled amid shutdown

Indian spin bowler Ravi Ashwin and West Indian batsman/wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran are no longer joining the club because of the coronavirus crisis.

It follows the earlier cancellation of South African spinner Keshav Maharaj’s short-term deal for the opening two matches of the County Championship season.

The England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Friday that there will be no professional cricket in England until at least July 1, with nine rounds of Championship games already lost.

Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire’s director of cricket, said: “Firstly, I really appreciate the players’ understanding in this matter.

“We have been in regular contact with the players and their agents throughout this Covid pandemic.

“They have been extremely professional and appreciate the uncertainty facing counties at present.

“We hope that we will be able to see them at Emerald Headingley in the near future.”

Ashwin had been due to arrive in midsummer and play most of the remaining Championship fixtures, while Pooran had been re-signed for the T20 Blast.

But with uncertainty surrounding the next few months, and the shape of schedules both domestic and international, Yorkshire are one of several clubs who have cancelled the deals of overseas stars.

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