Australia men’s cricketers have donated their prize money from their tour of Sri Lanka to support the ones impacted by the economic crisis in the Island nation. Back in June-July, the Aussies played a multi-format bilateral series against Sri Lanka. The players of the teams, captained by Pat Cummins and Aaron Finch, will donate A$45,000 to UNICEF.
Due to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the country’s president and prime minister were forced to resign. The funds donated by the players will go to UNICEF’s programs, supporting education, healthcare, nutrition and mental health services for nearly 2 million children on Sri Lankan soil.
“It was very clear to us how much day-to-day life for Sri Lankans is being impacted,” Cummins, who is an UNICEF Australia ambassador, was quoted as saying.
“When the team saw what was happening it was an easy decision to donate our prize money to UNICEF, who have been in Sri Lanka for more than 50 years supporting the needs of children and families,” he added.
Finch mentioned that Sri Lanka warmly welcomed them during the tour and also hoped for the tour to “lift their spirits in some small way”.
Back in 2021, Cummins and Cricket Australia also made their contributions towards the Covid-hit India by donating $50,000 for oxygen supplies. In 2021, the second leg of the IPL had to be shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) because of issues surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
