India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's contract with country team Yorkshire has been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The move comes after England and Wales Cricket Board suspended all forms of professional cricket till July 1. Apart from Ashwin contracts of two other overseas players, South African spinner Keshav Maharaj and West Indies batsman Nicholas Pooran have also been terminated. Ashwin was earlier contracted to be a part of their first-class County Championship.
In a statement Yorkshire’s Director of Cricket, Martyn Moxon 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 hey 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 future." Maharaj had agreed to re-join the White Rose for their opening two Specsavers County Championship fixtures against Gloucestershire and Essex.While Pooran had agreed a second stint at Emerald Headingley after agreeing to re-join as Yorkshire Vikings’ Vitality Blast overseas player for the 2020 campaign.
