Buttler raises £65,000 auctioning World Cup final shirt for COVID-19 relief

LONDON: England wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler has raised £65,000 through auctioning the shirt he wore in World Cup 2019 final for COVID-19 relief efforts.

He also revealed that the donation made by the England team in support of the ECB is to keep recreational cricket afloat. Last week, England’s centrally contracted players announced a donation of £500,000, equivalent to a 20 percent pay cut for three months to tackle the current crisis.

The start of the English season is delayed until 28 May and there is uncertainty over the scheduled tours as well. “Everybody is very aware of our duty as players to contribute where we can,” said Buttler. “I think the Hundred’s a big thing that may or may not happen this summer. It may get delayed. I know a lot of investment has gone into that.

“We will be discussing with the ECB further ways we can help the game in the coming weeks. But as players we’re all very aware of the other effects this is going to have drip-feeding down into the game. Without grassroots’ cricket, we’re nothing really.”

I’m going to be auctioning my World Cup Final shirt to raise funds for the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals charity. Last week they launched an emergency appeal to provide life saving equipment to help those affected during the Covid-19 outbreak. Link to auction in my bio. pic.twitter.com/ODN9JY4pk1

— Jos Buttler (@josbuttler) March 31, 2020

Buttler explained that instead of pouring money in covering the shortfalls at professional level, it can be used at the base level to strengthen the foundation and keep the game alive.

“I hope the money can be used in all the areas where it is really needed. There are so many different areas that are going to be affected – grassroots, youth coaching and disability sports.

“I know the players are very strong on wanting that money to help that grassroots’ structure and pathway because we need to bring people into the game and make sure that is very strong,” he added.

The 29-year-old also raised £65,000 by auctioning off his World Cup final shirt. Buttler had worn the shirt completing the last-ball run-out that handed England their first men’s World Cup title in July last year. The shirt was sold to raise money for specialist heart and lung centres provided by the Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals in London.