ABOUT LOCKDOWN HEROES

Lockdown for all of us in the world of cricket has been tough, none more so than here in England and Wales where the weather has been so beautiful and a daily reminder of what we’re missing.

The past two months might have been unbearable, but for the incredible efforts of men, women and children across the game to entertain, care for and support one another - in so many ways.

From the initiatives so many counties have undertaken to checking up on vulnerable members, to players signing up for the NHS, to YouTube classes for kids, to the folk who have tended grounds for free, to the amateur cricketers who have raised money in unusual ways, to the creatives who have kept us laughing on social media with Tests in their back garden and Headingley mock-ups with their cat - so many have played such an integral role in keeping the spirit of cricket alive.

The Cricketer would like to see all these people recognised.

So, in June, we’re going to launch our Lockdown Heroes - awards for those who have made a real difference during cricket’s unfortunate hiatus.

Five categories will be open for nominations, including Club Hero, Pro Hero, Social Media Hero, Young Hero and Fundraising Hero - and we’ll be asking the cricketing public to tell us who they feel is most deserving.

Everyone who is nominated will get recognition of some form on TheCricketer.com, and we’ll run full articles on all those on the shortlist prior to a virtual awards ceremony in July.

It’s an opportunity for you to champion the heroes of your own communities, and to celebrate the incredible feats of ingenuity, generosity and compassion that have flooded our game during the past two months.

To recognise the best of the game in this country.