The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday (June 22) announced that the home Test series against West Indies next month will be called #RaiseTheBat series in honour of heroic cricketing key workers.
The series, marking the return of international cricket in a bio-secure bubble after COVID-19 hiatus, will celebrate the heroes within the cricketing community who have been providing medical support to those in need during these difficult times.
Read Also: Wouldn't swap anyone from West Indies attack for Jofra Archer, says Shane Dowrich
"On day one of the first Test (Wednesday 8 July), the England Men’s players will pay tribute to cricket’s heroes by wearing the names of key workers on their training shirts before the start of the match – shining a light on their bravery and sacrifice as fans watch live from home," reads an ECB media release.
"The people named on the shirts have all been nominated by their local cricket clubs and include teachers, doctors, nurses, carers, social workers and other vital professions. Their stories will be amplified across the ECB’s digital platforms."
"The shirts will feature the names of people like Dr Vikas Kumar, a Specialist in Anaesthetics and Critical Care at Darlington Memorial Hospital, who has been working on the frontline throughout the pandemic while also taking care of a young family at home."
"In his spare time, Vikas is a keen cricketer playing at Cowgate Cricket Club in Newcastle and the Gilli Boys Amateur Club in Darlington."
The #RaiseTheBat initiative, launched last month as part of ECB’s nationwide ‘Together Through This Test’ campaign, has seen key workers featuring on over 300 billboards across England and Wales, with more billboards to come on June 29.
The board has encouraged everyone within the English cricket fraternity to highlight the work done by key workers who deserve recognition using #raisethebat via social media.
“As we stage the first international sporting competition in the UK since COVID-19 began, we want to pay tribute to the people who have bravely played their part during this crisis. Through the #raisethebat Test Series, we will show our gratitude to key workers," ECB CEO Tom Harrison said.
“It has been a long and challenging journey to cricket’s return and while this pales in comparison to what the country has faced, we hope the #raisethebat Test Series will bring some enjoyment and light relief to people’s lives."
A nurse called Emily Blakemore, whose name will feature on the back of an England players' shirt, thanked the board for this kind gesture.
"It’s going to be an absolute honour to see one of the England Men’s players come out while wearing my name on the back of their shirt," she said. "It has been such a difficult time for so many people, and there’s still a lot of hard work ahead, but it’s exciting that we’ll be able to see some cricket again."
"The cricket family has really pulled together at a tough time and I can’t wait until we can get playing at my club again. Until then, hopefully, Joe Root and the team can give us something to cheer about. Summer isn’t summer without cricket."
England skipper Joe Root expressed his gratitude towards all the health workers who have stood out in these trying circumstances to make cricket's return possible.
"We’ve waited a long time for this moment, and we wouldn’t be here without the West Indies – we are so grateful to them for making the tour happen," he said.
"As we get back to playing the game we love, we want to take the time to honour the brave key workers who went into bat for their country under the toughest circumstances."
"It’s only fitting that we use this series as an opportunity to ‘raise a bat’ in their honour. We’ll wear their names with pride," Root concluded.
