Cricketers unite for flood victims
Australian and English cricketers will put their fierce rivalry aside to raise funds for the victims of the devastating floods in Queensland.
The biggest floods in a century have killed 14 people since starting in the northern state last month and on Wednesday water had started to inundate Brisbane, where the Ashes series began in late November.
Among other fund-raising initiatives, England and Australia players will solicit donations from the crowd at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night during the first of a series of limited over matches that follow the Test series.
"It is important that we do something, those people need as much help as possible. It's a terrible time and each day it seems to get worse and worse," said England's Graeme Swann.
Batsman Kevin Pietersen had already announced on social media site Twitter that he would auction off one of the shirts he wore in England's Ashes triumph, a bat and two tickets to a one-day international to raise funds.
Australian rules football governing body, the AFL, and 18 teams have pledged $500,000 to the relief fund, while the Brisbane Broncos rugby league donated $25,000 and helped raise more through their players at a nationally televised telethon.
Australia football international Tim Cahill gestured as if making a phone call after scoring the second of his two goals in Australia's 4-0 Asian Cup victory over India on Monday to advertise a prize he was offering for the telethon.
"I showed the gesture because I want people to call in on the telethon, donate money and bid on my auction," he said in Doha.
"This is football but there's a lot more that's going on in the world, and to help people and families that are struggling is my way of showing that I care."
Bidding for the prize of two flights from anywhere in the world to watch a match at Cahill's club Everton with dinner and signed boots and shirt has raised more than $10,000.
American tennis player Andy Roddick pledged $100 for every ace he served at the Brisbane International last week, doubling the tally to $10,800 after losing the final to Robin Soderling.
Local Grand Slam hopeful Sam Stosur offered the same and the ATP and WTA professional tours expect to donate $40,000 with their pledge of $100 for every ace over three tournaments, including next week's Australian Open.
The Australian Rugby Union pitched in with a donation of $50,000, while players from the Queensland Reds Super rugby team have also made their own personal contributions.
"I congratulate Wallabies and Queensland Reds players Anthony and Saia Faingaa, who have announced they will donate their first Super Rugby game match payments to the flood relief appeal," said ARU chief John O'Neill.
Staff were evacuated on Tuesday from Brisbane's Gabba cricket ground, while the city's Suncorp football Stadium is already under water, local media reported.
Comment 12 - 31 of 31
Phillip - Nice idea. It would be a bit of fun and, let's face it, it would be pretty cruel to make Australia play England any more times than they absolutely have to on this tour.
Well KP, I have never thought much of you, but my opinion of you has changed significantly. Very Very selfless thing to do.
For a charity T20, hows about mixing the teams up for one match, that would generate a lot of interest. Maybe we could put our bowlers under Strauss for a game, so he might be able to give them a bit of guidance
# 29 Bobito. What a good idea that would be ! Perhaps a trophy could be donated in memory of that brave little lad who sacrificed his life so that his younger brother might be saved. True courage and love.
# 30. allaussieaussie. Thanks for that, it's good to see KP stepping up to the mark. Here's hoping that others from both sides will follow suit.
John,Spain.
From the KP website for those that have not seen this, for the Queensland floods. It is mentioned above, but I think it deserves more prominence in UK forum. (We should pool together and send Bob!)
"I am auctioning my Ashes shirt and bat as used in this year’s Ashes series, shown in the picture. I will personalise the bat to the winning bidder. I will also include 2 tickets to the last One Day International game in Perth on the 6th February, and the bidder will come and watch the team train the day before. I will also provide 2 economy return airline tickets from anywhere in the World to Perth and 2 night’s accommodation at a hotel in Perth for the 5th and 6th February. "
GO KP
There is a rumour (but only that at this stage) that England and Australia may play an extra T20 match with all money raised going to flood relief. I imagin the players are all willing but it's just a case of finding a venue and a day. Fingers crossed that the logistics can be sorted out.
Dizzy, who really cares mate, the article is about the players uniting for the flood victims, its a good thing, not something you should be getting yourself upset about.
Dizzy, I think when John said that, he was speaking to our friend Ned Kelly but refering to another poster entirely.
John, very well put, the ashes are important, but people's lives are more so. It is great to see the poms and some of their more intelligent supporters helping us aussies out, your support and heart felt generosity will be remebered on out soil for a long time to come.
Its unfortunate a bit of light hearted banter once again gets turned into racial slander.
Fair play to all the English cricketers, you have proven that you are not only winners on the cricket pitch
I'm afraid the Aussies have a lot to learn about life & humour.
Dizzy, I think you'll find that John is well aware that Ned is only having a bit of banter, as was Ned was aware with John's post. We've been enjoying such exchanges since the Ashes started and long before that.
So lighten up, there's a good chap....
# 20. Ned Kelly. Hello mate. Whilst feeling concern for the people who are suffering in Queensland I made a light-hearted remark about Kylie doing a benefit concert to help swell the relief fund. Unfortunately, this guy seems to think I am serious and is full of self-righteous indignation that I should be appreciative of Kylie's rear end.!
I can't be bothered about people who cannot grasp or understand the import of my words. Obviously, residing in Spain it is unlikely in the extreme that she would perform a charity concert here, but if someone is set on being obtuse or is just plain thick, there is little I can do.
I hope that many of the Aussie stars will give their time and talent to raising money to help those unfortunate to lose their houses and belongings in this disaster.
John,Spain.
John, Spain, again? what's going on? May I ask when was the first time? What has been going on behind my back? Firstly you steal the ashes off it's rightful owner, & if that wasn't bad enough you are now trying to get off with an Aussie national treasure, next thing you know you'll be trying it on with our Edna Everage! not if our cultural minister, Sir Les Patterson has something to say about it...is nothing sacred...Ned Kelly
John, Spain, again? what's going on? May I ask when was the first time? What has been going on behind my back? Firstly you steal the ashes off it's rightful owner, & if that wasn't bad enough you are now trying to get off with an Aussie national treasure, next thing you know you'll be trying it on with our Edna Everage! not if our cultural minister, Sir Les Patterson has something to say about it...is nothing sacred...Ned Kelly
John, Spain, again? what's going on? May I ask when was the first time? What has been going on behind my back? Firstly you steal the ashes off it's rightful owner, & if that wasn't bad enough you are now trying to get off with an Aussie national treasure, next thing you know you'll be trying it on with our Edna Everage! not if our cultural minister, Sir Les Patterson has something to say about it...is nothing sacred...Ned Kelly
John, Spain, again? what's going on? May I ask when was the first time? What has been going on behind my back? Firstly you steal the ashes off it's rightful owner, & if that wasn't bad enough you are now trying to get off with an Aussie national treasure, next thing you know you'll be trying it on with our Edna Everage! not if our cultural minister, Sir Les Patterson has something to say about it...is nothing sacred...Ned Kelly
@15 Your comment should make you a very proud man!!
P. You are an idiot.
@9 & 11 - I noticed that you both have very selective reading habits and selective memory too. Read the COMMENT 7 FROM STEPHEN (presumably an Aussie) and see if he is laughing? You guys give a different meaning to the word 'shallow'!!
@11 One final point. I assume when you say my comments are offensive to Aussies I am sure you are referring to the 'true blue Aussies' only. I love you to hear what the 'native' Australian's think about the hardships they suffered at the hands of the "Australian's" that you are referring to in their own homeland and see who the racist really are? Have a good day.
@11 I thought you Aussies can read, write and open minded? Read what I wrote below, comment 5, and tell me which part of what I wrote was racist? If you care to read properly with your eyes open I was asking the person who wrote comment 2, for who's benefit the concert should be? It appears that he is happy to pay money just to see Kyle Minogues BUM!! I really can see the humour in that FETCH!! I am not as ignorant as you think I am to know that there are thousands of people are suffering in Queensland and Brisbane not forgetting the people in Haiti and other parts of the world too. Next time why don't you read before you jump to your fancy comments and stop pretending the Aussies are open minded or easy going? Clearly you are not! I fail to see your logic where you think it is acceptable to pay money for charity as long as one can see Kylie's BUM, but it is not acceptable to ask for whos benefit he is happy to part with his cash? For the flood victims or for his personal pleasure? If you think that is humourous you and your good pals must be having a good laugh? And John, I don't need you to spell it out I know what you meant. I think you need to ask yourself why you are happy to offer your money? To see Kylies BUM or for the benefit of the flood victims? If it was for the latter Kylie Minogue's bum has no relevance to what is going on in Queensland is it? Enough said.
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