Top cricketers turn into off-field heroes to combat COVID-19

Cricketers are hailed as heroes for their on-field exploits but following the COVID-19 pandemic, many of them are turning heroes off the field for their efforts to combat the spread of the virus.

Leading the way is England's women cricket team captain Heather Knight, who signed up for the NHS (National Health Service) Volunteer scheme that has been launched to help fight this deadly pandemic.

As soon as the UK government launched an appeal for 250,000 volunteers to help with duties such as delivering medicines from pharmacies, driving patients to and from doctors' appointments or hospitals and making phone calls to check on people, Knight signed up as a volunteer.

She said her brother, who is a doctor by profession and she have taken their car to transport medicine to people who are in self-isolation. Not many Indian cricket fans may remember Joginder Sharma, who bowled the final over to ensure India's win in the ICC World T20 Cup final in 2007; but for the people of his state Haryana, he is a hero for his activities off the field.

After his cricketing career, Singh joined the police force and works as the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Haryana. Today, he is on the streets helping people during this crisis. According to him, his duty starts at 6 am and it involves spreading awareness on the importance of staying at home to those who venture out for fun and also carying medicines to the needy.