Aussie cricketers banding together for bushfire relief

Australian cricketers have reached into their pockets to help those impacted by bushfires burning across the country.

So far, ACA members, players both past and present have been helping to raise funds for various bushfire relief organisations and rural fire services.

Late last week, Chris Lynn took to social media announcing that he would be donating $250 for every six he hit during the Big Bash League this season to the Australian Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. Glenn Maxwell, D’Arcy Short and Fawad Ahmed all jumped on board as well, pledging to donate $250 per six and or wicket for the remainder of the Big Bash League season. Over the weekend, Short scored an unbeaten century, contributing $1,750 to Australian Red Cross. Click here to donate to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. Josh Philippe too joined in, contributing $100 per six.

On Saturday, Peter Siddle, Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa joined forces to announce they would be donating $200 for every wicket they take in the Big Bash, and also for wickets taken during Australia’s ODI tour of India. All of their proceeds will go towards WIRES Wildlife Rescue and Wildlife Victoria, with an estimated wildlife toll of over 500 million as a result of the fires. Sean Abbott shortly after announced that he would be joining the trio’s efforts. Click here to donate.

ACA Member Ash Barty (formerly of Brisbane Heat and Queensland) has pledged to donate all of her earnings from the Brisbane International, which could be as much as $360,000 if she wins the event. That’s on top of a $30,000 donation she made to the RSPCA late last year. Click here to donate to the RSPCA. The Brisbane International starts Monday.

The re-commencement of the WNCL season has brought an outpouring of donations from its competitors.

Holly Ferling has pledged to donate $100 to the Red Cross for every wicket taken by the Queensland bowling attack in their WNCL games against the ACT and NSW this week.

South Australia’s Annie O’Neil is donating her match payment to Kangaroo Island bushfire recovery efforts, as well as Scorpions teammate Samantha Betts. Click here for more

Aussie speedster Megan Schutt showed her support by donating hygiene and sanitary products to the Kangaroo Island Bushfire Relief on top of her match payment.

Beth Mooney is auctioning her bat from the Heat’s championship winning season. Brisbane Heat’s WBBL team are also auctioning a signed team jersey with all proceeds going to the Red Cross. Click here for the auction.

Aussie batter, Elyse Villani has adopted a koala through WWF International. Click here to donate to WWF International.

Shane Warne made an extraordinary announcement that he’ll be auctioning off his Baggy Green for bushfire victims. Click here for the fundraiser. As of Tuesday, bids had already surpassed the $300k mark.

The Australian Men’s team kindly auctioned off their playing tops from the Boxing Day Test, with all proceeds going towards the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.

The Pink Test bowling quartet of Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson also announced that they will contribute an additional $1,000 each to the bushfire relief appeal, for every wicket taken during the Sydney Test. Click here to donate to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.

Tim Paine and Justin Langer penned this open letter the heroic firefighters across the country, and joined the rest of the Australian and New Zealand teams for a pre-Test tribute to those fighting the fires.

The Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat have started their own campaigns, placing playing tops up for auction for bushfire relief efforts.

Players from the Hobart Hurricanes, Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers have committed to donating to bushfire relief campaigns, while the Sydney Sixers visited fire ravaged Nymboida. The clubs have also pledged to match donations from their players and contribute to various relief organisations.

Many players, both past and present, have taken also taken to social media sharing links and encouraging people to donate.

Last week, ACA Chief Executive Alistair Nicholson informed ACA members that the players’ association had donated to the Australian Red Cross and various rural fire services on behalf of its membership.

If you too would like to contribute to Australian Red Cross and fire services operating in a State of Emergency, please click and follow the link(s) below:

Australian Red Cross - Click here

NSW Rural Fire Service - Click here

Victorian Country Fire Authority - Click here

Our thoughts are with those who continue to live under the threat of fire and those fighting to protect their fellow Australians.