Reason behind Tom Blundell using multi-coloured batting grip revealed

New Zealand suffered a heavy defeat against Australia in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), but Tom Blundell was the only batsman, who managed to put up a show against an in-form Australian bowling attack.

The visitors were bowled out for only 240 runs in the second innings, resulting in a massive defeat by 247 runs. Blundell played a gritty knock of 121 from 210 and fought all alone before the hosts wrapped things up.

Meanwhile, Blundell, who scored his second Test hundred was spotted  batting with a multi-coloured batting grip. After the end of the Test, it was revealed that Blundell used the grip to support a six-year-old Hollie Beattie who is battling cancer. According to Fox Cricket, The grip, designed by Hollie with the help of Kookaburra are being sold by Players Sports to help raise money for her cancer fight.

Hollie’s father John also revealed that they were over the moon after Blundell managed to score a hundred with that bat.

“When he [Blundell] got to 50 we were sent a photo of him holding up the bat and then to hear he got 100 was exciting. We played the audio for Hollie on the radio and that was exciting for her,” he said.

Hollie’s father  is a foundation staff member of Players Sports and the company who have been selling the grips for $9.99 to raise money for her treatment. New Zealand stars Neil Wagner and Tim Southee also used the grip in Melbourne while Southee has previously donated a test shirt signed by the team.

Hollie was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive form of cancer called Neuroblastoma in July last year. After initial chemotherapy cycles in December 2018 and following repeat tests, the family heard the devastating news that chemotherapy has failed to make an impact on the disease in her bone marrow and her health is degrading day by day.

Meanwhile it was a cake-walk for the hosts Australia in the second Test as they completely outplayed the Kiwis. They have also wrapped up the three-match series 2-0 with one game still to go. Travis Head was awarded man of the match for his stunning knock of 114 in the first innings, which set things up for the hosts to put a massive total on the board.