England to honour key workers during West Indies Test series

The three-match contest will be called the #raisethebat Test Series, while England's players will wear the names of key workers associated with cricket on their training shirts ahead of the start of the first Test

England will face West Indies in the #raisethebat Test Series next month as the sport looks to honour its key workers through the coronavirus crisis.

The first of three matches begins on July 8 at the Ageas Bowl, where English cricket will pay tribute to those who have supported those in need during the Covid-19 pandemic.

England players will wear the names of key workers on their training shirts before the start of play on the first day, all of whom have been nominated by their local clubs on the strength of their contributions in recent months.

Among them, teachers, doctors, nurses, carers, social workers and other professions are all represented.

Vikas Kumar, a specialist in anaesthetics and critical care at Darlington Memorial Hospital, is one such nominee. He has been working on the frontline throughout the pandemic, while also looking after his young family. He plays amateur cricket for Cowgate CC in Newcastle and Gilli Boys Amateur Club in Darlington.

Emily Blakemore is another whose name will appear on the shirt: a player and junior section volunteer at Astwood Bank CC. She has been working as a nurse looking after coronavirus patients.

She said: “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. 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 nationwide Together Through This Test campaign has already featured key workers on more than 300 billboards in England and Wales, while social media users are still being encouraged to highlight key workers using #raisethebat.

On the decision to dedicate the series’ naming rights to the key workers, ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said: “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.

“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.”

Joe Root added: “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. 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.”

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