'Time we take some action' - Yuvraj Singh terms Australia bushfire tragic

Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh on Thursday called the ongoing bushfire tragedy in Australia as tragic and called it’s time action is taken against the climate change threat. At least 18 people were killed while several millions of animals were feared to have died in the blaze that has terrorised South-east Australia. Ashes from Australia have even flown into neighbouring New Zealand to darken its snow-covered hills.

The two countries, meanwhile, started playing the third and the final Test of the series in Sydney on Friday. Australia captain Tim Paine won the toss and elected to bat and riding yet another Test century from Marnus Labuschagne (with his 130 not out, he has now belted four tons in five matches), the hosts ended the opening day at 283 for 3.

Steve Smith scored 63 and opener David Warner made 45. Matthew Wade was the other batsman unbeaten on 22. For the Kiwis, pacer Colin de Grandhomme was the best of the bowlers with two wickets. Australia have won the series 2-0 after winning the first Test in Perth by 296 runs and the second in Melbourne by 247 runs.

Yuvraj, who retired from international cricket last June but continues to play franchise cricket, took to Twitter to express his sympathy for those affected by the Australia bushfire after Warner shared a picture of a person watching the devastating blaze with a dog.

“Australia has burnt more than 12million acres this season, they r [are] not even halfway there its peak fire season. Tragic news on #bushfiresAustralia 480 million animals have been lost. This is culmination of climate change it’s time v [we] take some action. Prayers for all affected,” Yuvraj wrote with a series of pictures of the tragedy.

Australia has burnt more than 12million acres this season, they r not even halfway thr its peak fire season. Tragic news on #bushfiresAustralia 480 million animals have been lost. This is culmination of climate change it’s time v take some action. Prayers for all affected pic.twitter.com/GWLUfDAzBt

— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) January 2, 2020

Australia and New Zealand wore black armbands

Both Australia and New Zealand players wore black armbands on the opening day of the Sydney Test as a mark of solidarity with the firefighters trying to bring the deadly conflagration under control.

Cricket Australia has announced that the funds raised during the three-match ODI series between the Trans-Tasman rivals in March will go to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund for the rehabilitation of those hit by the bushfire.

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