Rhodes say none of his players have had a wage rise

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes says he hopes big-spending counties will become aware of the problems facing cricket.

The county have lopped £300,000 off the playing budget for 2010.

Rhodes told BBC Hereford and Worcester he hopes counties are ready to face the financial problems in the game.

"I only hope some of the other clubs will address it and will survive, because there is quite a bit of spend going on," he said.

"You don't have to be Einstein to look at some of the teams, Hampshire, Surrey and Durham are paying a lot more now.

"Lancashire have always paid well, and Sussex were left a lot of money, so we have some big boys in terms of what they can spend."

It is interesting the salary cap they are talking about is way above the spend of most county clubs Steve Rhodes

Worcestershire's saving has come mainly from some of the club's higher-paid players leaving New Road.

Steven Davies and Gareth Batty went to Surrey, Stephen Moore to Lancashire and both Kabir Ali and Simon Jones, who was released, joined Hampshire.

Rhodes says talk of a salary cap, similar to rugby union and rugby league, will not affect many clubs.

"It is interesting the salary cap they are talking about is way above the spend of most county clubs," he added.

"It only going to possibly affect one or two countries, as they are the only ones who burst that salary cap at the moment."

Worcestershire begin the first class season with a home County Championship game against Middlesex at New Road on Friday, 9 April.

There will be full commentary on the game on BBC Hereford and Worcester on 738am and online at bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester.

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