England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler has raised 65,000 British pounds ($80,000) by auctioning the shirt he wore in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 final to help in the fight against the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
England's World Cup-winning star has auctioned his Three Lions shirt online to raise funds towards providing life-saving equipment to help the emergency cause due to the COVID-19 crisis in the country.
Buttler was wearing the shirt on July 14, 2019, when he removed the bails and completed the run out during the last ball of the super-over that also tied after the original game ended in a tie against New Zealand to secure England’s dramatic and nerve-shredding maiden World Cup victory.
The start cricketer did not take the shirt off for almost another 12 hours, but now he had decided to auction his most prized piece of kit in aid of Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals Charity in London while the iconic shirt had attracted 82 bids with the winner paying 65,800 pounds on Tuesday (April 7).
Buttler said: “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. I always bat in a short-sleeved shirt but I fielded in this long-sleeved one for 50 overs and then the super over. This is the shirt and it smells pretty authentic.”
Read Also: Jos Buttler elated with response to auction for World Cup final shirt
He further added, “I took it off around seven o’clock the next morning. They were great times — first, in the dressing room and then we headed back to the hotel bar with everyone still in full kit. So, it’s seen it all, that shirt! All the players have autographed it.”
There is a personal reason behind supporting the charity as the English star’s wife’s aunt is head of pediatrics at the Royal Brompton in London.
The 29-year-old continued, “When this outbreak started, we were asking if there is anything we could do to help. She said it’s true what people are saying — the doctors and nurses have been working incredibly long hours and struggling for simple things like snacks and toiletries. I and a few other England players made a donation on her fund-raising page and they’ve had Waitrose deliveries. So, some of the money went to that. She also told us about the appeal the hospital had started. They were looking to raise £100,000 to buy emergency equipment.
Read Also: Buttler confirms England considering option to field two teams on same day
So, I said we could auction my World Cup shirt to raise some money. Having spoken to people at the hospital, the money can buy an ECMO machine (an Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation machine) which provides life support to the seriously ill. Specifically, ECMO infuses oxygen into the blood and removes carbon dioxide. It can also provide blood flow support which is vital — not just for COVID-19 patients but all heart and lung patients.”
Buttler also mentioned: “I’m not a massive collector of memorabilia. The only other really special thing I have is the bat I used in the final. The fashion in which the World Cup was won and how the drama unfolded means the shirt carries a story. It just felt like a good thing to do and a great way to help.”
England pledged to donate £500,000 for various good causes in the field of game and Buttler said the player would like to spend the money on grass-roots cricket instead of new The Hundred event.
Buttler added: “I think the players are aware of the effect COVID-19 has had on the sport. And we’re aware of our duty as players to contribute where we can. We needed to do something.
He signed off by saying, “There are so many areas that will be affected such as grassroots, youth coaching, and disability sports. I think the players would love the money to go towards that grass-roots community stuff. As players, we’re aware of the impact this will have drip-feeding down into the game. Without grass-roots cricket, we’re nothing, really.”
(With The Sun Inputs)
