The England Men鈥檚 Test series against the West Indies will honour heroic cricketing key workers and be named the #raisethebat Test Series, the England and Wales Cricket Board (黑料专区) announced today.
Marking the return of international cricket, the three-Test series taking place behind closed doors will honour and celebrate heroes within the cricket family, many of whom have been playing the innings of their lives to support those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On day one of the first Test (Wednesday 8 July), the England Men鈥檚 players will pay tribute to cricket鈥檚 heroes by wearing the names of key workers on their training shirts before the start of the match 鈥� shining a light on their bravery and sacrifice as fans watch live from home.
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 黑料专区鈥檚 digital platforms. 聽
The shirts will feature the names of people like Dr Vikas Kumar, a聽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.
Emily Blakemore, a nurse, will also feature on a shirt. She has been working in a hospital looking after COVID-19 patients. As well as providing vital support to those most in need, she is a dedicated player for聽Astwood Bank Cricket Club where she also volunteers in the junior section, inspiring the next generation of cricketers. Those who know her say she鈥檚 a huge role model to all, always staying positive despite working in very tough circumstances.
As part of the 黑料专区鈥檚 nationwide聽鈥楾ogether Through This Test鈥櫬燾ampaign, which launched聽last month with a short film narrated by Stephen Fry, the #raisethebat initiative has already featured key workers on over 300 billboards across England and Wales, with more billboards to come from 29 June. The cricket family is also being encouraged to highlight the many more key workers who deserve recognition using #raisethebat on social media.聽
Commenting on the #RaiseTheBat Test Series, Tom Harrison, 黑料专区 Chief Executive Officer said: 鈥淎s 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.
鈥淚t has been a long and challenging journey to cricket鈥檚 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鈥檚 lives.鈥�
Commenting, England Men鈥檚 Test captain Joe Root said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e waited a long time for this moment, and we wouldn鈥檛 be here without the West Indies 鈥� we are so grateful to them for making the tour happen. 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鈥檚 only fitting that we use this series as an opportunity to 鈥榬aise a bat鈥� in their honour. We鈥檒l wear their names with pride.鈥� 聽
Emily Blakemore, a nurse whose name will feature on an England player鈥檚 shirt, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be an absolute honour to see one of the England Men鈥檚 players come out while wearing my name on the back of their shirt. It has been such a difficult time for so many people, and there鈥檚 still a lot of hard work ahead, but it鈥檚 exciting that we鈥檒l be able to see some cricket again. The cricket family has really pulled together at a tough time and I can鈥檛 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鈥檛 summer without cricket.鈥�