The United Kingdom was plunged in sadness on Wednesday as Captain Tom Moore, a 100-year old UK war veteran and a fund-raiser who played an active part in lifting the spirits of the country during the coronavirus pandemic, died due to COVID-19. Joe Root, the England cricket team skipper, paid tribute to Captain Moore when he spoke to the ECB media personnel at the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai where England is preparing for the first Test against India on February 5. "Real sad news. I have had the privilege of talking with him last year. He is someone who gave the country plenty to smile about in a dark time. He lifted so many people's spirits throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The entire England cricket team wants to send condolences. He loved cricket. He spoke fondly about watching the game, be it the matches for Yorkshire or on TV. He will be sadly missed and his legacy will live on forever," Joe Root said.
Captain Tom Moore came to the attention of the larger public in April 2020 before his 100th birthday when he decided to support the efforts of the National Health Service by walking around his garden with the help of a frame and eventually helped raise 38.9 million pounds. Born on April 30, 1920, in Yorkshire, Moore started an apprenticeship in civil engineering. In May 1940, Moore was enlisted in the 8th Battalion and got picked up for officer training that year. After becoming a lieutenant, Moore had a passion for motorcycles and had bought his first one at age 12. When he was transferred to India, where he set up and ran a training program for army motorcyclists.
Riding a Scott bike, Moore won several trophies in bike racing. He was posted in Mumbai and later served in Kolkata. After retiring from the army, Moore worked as a sales manager at a roofing materials company in Yorkshire and went on to work at a concrete manufacturing company too.
England begin preparations
England has been preparing for the Test series in India and they are currently in the bio-bubble in Chennai. England won the two Tests in Sri Lanka that were held in Galle by handsome margins and this was an ideal way to begin their quest of winning a series in India for the first time since 2012. Joe Root, who made his England debut in that series against India in 2012 in Nagpur, will play his 100th Test match when he steps out on the field against the same opponents in Chepauk.
England needs to win the series by a margin of 3-0, 3-1 or 4-0 in order to qualify for the final of the ICC World Test Championship while India needs to win by a margin of 2-0, 2-1, 3-1, 3-0 and 4-0 to ensure they meet New Zealand in the final of the tournament that will be held in Lord's in June 2021.
