England wicketkeeper batsman Jos Buttler is feeling "amazed" by the response as he is auctioning his shirt worn at last year's World Cup final at Lord's to raise money for charity cause amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The much-sought-after jersey, which is being sold to generate an amount to be donated to two specialist heart and lung medical facilities, has already raised more than £65,000 ($80,000), with a day left until the eBay auction closes.
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"There's a day or so left on the auction as well so hopefully we can raise a bit more," AFP quoted Buttler as saying during a conference call on Monday (April 6).
"It's a very special shirt but I think it takes on extra meaning with it being able to hopefully go to the emergency cause."
The 29-year-old is personally attached to the cause of supporting the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity as his wife's aunt is head of paediatrics at the Royal Brompton in London.
International and domestic cricket remains suspended in England and Wales because of the deadly outbreak, which threatens to jeopardise the entire summer and result in heavy losses.
Foreseeing that, the ECB made an announcement of a £61 million aid package to help the game survive. Board CEO Tom Harrison confirmed he will be enduring a pay cut of 25 per cent from his salary for the next months.
This, before the players also decided to do their bit and make an "initial donation" of £500,000 in support of the ECB and other good causes. The amount is equivalent to 20 per cent of players' salary for the next three months.
"Everybody is very aware of our duty as players to contribute where we can," said Buttler, who said the donation is made in hope to salvage the grassroots cricket.
"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."
"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," he added.
"So 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."
(Inputs from AFP)
