Australian cricketers Tim Paine and Nathan Lyon wrapped up their 3-0 demolition of New Zealand and visited the bushfire-afflicted regions of NSW Southern Highlands of Australia to meet with the firefighters and townspeople to laud them for their courage and thank them for their bravery.
Dozens of vast blazes, which continue to burn across eastern Australia, have killed 25 people since the start of the disaster in September and destroyed more than 1,800 homes.
The duo drove down to the affected communities and spent time with them. Speaking to NSW RFS, Paine said, “Myself and Nathan, obviously with the day off, thought it would be good idea just to come out and basically say g’day and say thank you to all the fire fighters that have been doing such a fantastic job down here in southern NSW.”
He also said that this is just a small part of the affected region and it was important to come out and talk to the people. “Obviously they’re one small part of a big part of what’s been going on NSW and Victoria particularly. We just thought it was an important time for us to come out and say g’day and thank them and speak to some people in the community who have gone through a really tough time,” he added.
“It’s been a really special day for us, to come down and see some of the devastation and see the size of the fires that have come through places like this has been absolutely mind-blowing, and when you do see it you do see the flat out bravery of our fire men and women that have come out here to try and save lives and property has been an unbelievable effort,” he said.
Aussie coach Justin Langer and skipper Tim Paine had earlier penned a letter to the firefighters of Australia, who put their lives on line to help protect others. The letter stated that they are the ‘true heroes of every summer’ and that they have been ‘inspired and terrified reading the stories of heroism from the fires each day’.
Several cricketers have come together in recent days to support the communities affected by the bushfires. Aussie legend Shane Warne has put up his baggy green cap up for auction and all the proceedings from the auction will go towards the aid of the people.
