In an unprecedented move, 100 of Australia’s elite cricketers have joined together to pledge $20 million towards the growth of cricket in the country.

The funds are being allocated through the Australian Cricketers’ Association to help the game at grassroots level, support past players and develop further opportunities for female cricketers.

Alistair Nicholson, ACA chief executive, says it’s all about the players putting something back into the game.

“We got all the first-class cricketers who are in the city for the Matador Cup and the Australian camp to come along to promote a couple of programs that the guys have contributed to,” he said.

“There’s the past player program, which has come out of the Cricket World Cup fund where past players can contribute clinics, and the second program is a number of state of the game initiatives to create cricket pathways.

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It’s the current players giving back to past players and helping grow the game.

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The money will be provided over a number of years, with the first payment being $4 million, followed by $6 million.

Nicholson says the players, along with Cricket Australia and ACA, are enthusiastic about working together to help the sport grow.

Source: The Daily Telegraph