MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) has said that should this week’s Test match between England and South Africa at Lord’s reach a fifth day, all tickets will be available for a donation of £5 ($6/€6).
The proceeds from the ticket sales will be split equally between two charities, The Ruth Strauss Foundation and The MCC Foundation.
Tickets are available from today (Wednesday) for the fifth day, which will fall on Sunday.
Lord’s will also be turning ‘Red for Ruth’ during tomorrow’s play to raise money to support families facing the death of a parent.
The Ruth Strauss Foundation was established by former England captain Sir Andrew Strauss in memory of his late wife Ruth, who passed away from lung cancer in December 2018 at the age of 46.
The MCC Foundation is a cricket charity that delivers projects across the UK and most recently in Nepal and Lebanon. The charity provides free coaching for boys and girls and aims to inspire communities in the process.
Cricket fans will also be able to opt-in when purchasing tickets to receive a donation refund in the event of no play at all on the fifth day.
Ines Thiru, interim chief executive and head of marketing communications at The Ruth Strauss Foundation, said: “We are bowled over by the ongoing support and generosity of MCC, and grateful for the additional funds raised through this wonderful initiative.
“Together with the support of so many, we are able to support families facing one of life’s toughest tests.”
Sarah Fane, director of The MCC Foundation, said: “MCC Foundation, the charitable arm of MCC, is absolutely delighted to be a beneficiary of funds raised through ticket sales for Day 5 of this Test at Lord’s. It will help us in our mission to transform lives through cricket both in the UK and globally and to ensure that cricket can be a game for all.”
Guy Lavender, CEO and secretary of MCC, added: “We are thrilled to be able to further support two charities that are close to our heart, and we hope this gesture encourages many supporters to experience international cricket at Lord’s.
“We believe this commitment to a charitable donation will ensure a strong crowd for a final day to support these two great cricketing nations. We look forward to welcoming all spectators to the Home of Cricket.”
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