Jos Buttler feels that a part of the money donated by centrally contracted players of the England team, amounting to £500,000, should be used for the development of grassroots cricket.

Buttler is among the 16 players who, last week, decided to donate the equivalent of a 20 per cent pay cut over three months, splitting the amount between the ECB and selected charities as the world grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s a very tight group of players, so it didn’t take much decision-making at all,” Buttler said, speaking on the donation. “Everybody was very aware of our duty as players to contribute where we can.”

ECB’s brainchild, The Hundred, is expected to be delayed with all major cricket put on hold; while Buttler acknowledges the financial ramifications of postponing the highly-anticipated tournament, he feels it’s also imperative that the national team assists the lower rungs of the cricketing community that have been severely hit by the ongoing crisis.

An amazing gesture by Jos Buttler ?https://t.co/RsHkXV7ySw

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 1, 2020

“I hope the money can be used in all the areas where it is really needed. I think the players would love it to go towards grassroots and community [initiatives],” Buttler said.

“Personally, yes. I think the Hundred is a big thing that may or may not happen this summer, it may get delayed. I know a lot of investment has gone into that, but as players we’re all very aware of the other effects this is going to have, drip-feeding down into the game. And without grassroots cricket, we’re nothing, really.

Buttler, who also put his World Cup-winning England jersey up for auction to raise funds, feels that it’s important to connect with and inspire the public in such a trying time.

“That’s the people we’re trying to inspire. The players are very strong on wanting that money to help that grassroots structure and pathway, because we need to bring people into the game.”