Pay cuts at McLaren

McClaren is the first Formula 1 team to resort to pay cuts due to the coronavirus epidemic. With pay cuts galore across all sports having been announced in recent weeks, McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz have joined senior management in taking a cut. The sports car maker announced the move in a statement, opting for a temporary three-month wage reduction as part of wider cost-cutting measures as the pandemic hits the business. A team spokesman told the Associated Press that 100-150 staff from across the group who were working on a ‘‘VentilatorChallengeUK’’ project were not included in the measure. The same source also said Norris and Sainz were adamant they wanted to play their part. The McLaren group, which includes the luxury carmaker and applied technology arm, employs almost 4000 people. About 850 work for the Formula 1 team.

Australia could meet old enemy England behind closed doors during July’s tour of the UK. Host captain Eion Morgan says it could be the way forward to advance the game. The coronavirus has led to the postponement of the country’s domestic season until at least May 28. Australia are among those countries visiting the UK this year, with three Twenty20s and three one-day internationals scheduled in July. But while English grounds are used to bumper attendances for international fixtures, Morgan pointed out that is not the case everywhere so playing at empty stadiums would therefore not be too much of an adjustment for him. ‘‘I’m open to absolutely everything,’’ he said.