England's cricketers have an even greater incentive to beat the Aussies this week, as their runs and wickets will be rewarded with donations to charity Chance to Shine.
As Rolling Stone Mick Jagger did in Alastair Cook’s final Test at the Kia Oval last September, lyricist Tim Rice will be donating to Chance to Shine, which takes cricket to state schools.
Cricket fan and long-time Chance to Shine supporter Rice has pledged £15,000 for every hundred and five-wicket haul an England player takes, plus £5,000 each time they score a fifty or take three wickets. In addition, the ECB are matching all donations to Chance to Shine, which has reached four million children in 16,000 state schools since 2005, until the end of this month.
“As a passionate cricket fan I can’t think of a more remarkable and
inspiring summer for the game in this country,” said Rice. “We need to capture the opportunity and, therefore, I’m delighted to follow in the footsteps of Sir Mick Jagger, who supported Chance to Shine so generously last year.”
Jagger ended up donating £190,000 in the iconic Test last year which saw Cook bow out with a memorable
century in an England win. A donation of £6 helps Chance to Shine to support a child for six weeks’ coaching.
