London: England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler has raised more than $80,000 to help two hospitals fight against COVID-19 pandemic by auctioning off his World Cup final shirt.
Buttler's shirt, which he wore when completing the last-ball run-out that saw England beat New Zealand at Lord's last year, was sold to raise money for specialist heart and lung centres provided by the Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals in London.
Buttler, who earlier in the showpiece match had hit a fifty and batted in the Super Over, put his long-sleeve keeping jersey up for sale a week ago.
Buttler, speaking on Monday, 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."
Earlier, former England fast bowler Darren Gough, second-highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket for his country, has pledged auction a signed ball to provide to support to the fight against COVID-19. Former Pakistan Wasim Akram has pledged auction a signed bat and ball on behalf of Centre for Disaster Philanthropy who have set up a COVID-19 Response Fund.
Ravi Bopara has offered free chicken from his restaurant in London to National Health Service (NHS) staff, umpire Aleem Dar has offered free food from his restaurant in Lahore to those who have lost their jobs, and Sam Billings has offered to shop for vulnerable people in his area.
England women's captain Heather Knight and the Surrey allrounder Rikki Clarke and are among those to have signed up as NHS volunteers, while Sam Curran has launched a fundraising campaign.
