Lancashire Cricket has committed to offering up to 5,000 tickets to NHS staff to a Vitality Blast match this season at Emirates Old Trafford as a gesture of support for their ongoing efforts in the fight against coronavirus.

The club will offer NHS workers the opportunity to attend a game with their families, with dates to be confirmed once the cricket schedule has been finalised.

Details on how to redeem tickets will be also be confirmed at that stage.

The Red Rose are also working on further commitments to honour and thank those fighting on the frontline.

Lancashire Cricket chief executive Daniel Gidney, said: “This is a small token of our appreciation towards those who are doing themselves, the NHS and the whole country proud in fighting this disease.

“Cricket takes a seat on the backburner at this moment in time for obvious reasons, but we hope to be able to provide some entertainment for those who have worked heroically during a national health crisis.

“The greatest way we can continue to support the NHS at this time, however, is to continue to follow the Government advice on good hygiene and social distancing. Stay home and save lives.

“We stand with all of our colleagues in the NHS at the most difficult of times and continue to wish everyone good health during this ongoing period.”

Yorkshire yesterday became the first county to furlough their players and cricket staff in response to the coronavirus crisis.

With the domestic season delayed until May 28 at present – and the expectation of further such postponements – discussions over pay reductions, deferrals and furlough options have been ongoing for some time with the 18 first-class counties and the Professional Cricketers’ Association.

The PCA had been hoping to announce a collective agreement following a series of conference calls over the weekend but the White Rose county became the first to show its hand when it revealed the decision had been ratified at board level on Friday.

England Test captain Joe Root, wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow and leg spinner Adil Rashid are not affected by the news as they are centrally contracted by the ECB, but there are a series of high-profile players involved in the decision.

David Willey, Dawid Malan, Gary Ballance and Adam Lyth have all represented England in recent years, while South African Duanne Olivier is among the more high-profile Kolpak cricketers currently on the county scene.