Cricket is a global sport. Due to the sport's tremendous popularity, the brand value of the players is enormous. For years, there have been cricketers who have used their star power to catalyze social causes.

1. Glenn McGrath

In 2005, Australian speedster Glenn McGrath founded the McGrath Foundation with his wife, Jane McGrath. The institution provides education and support for patients and survivors of Breast Cancer in Australia. The Foundation has supported around 95,000 families since its inception and has over 170 centers all over the country. Jane McGrath was diagnosed with breast cancer, and through this organization, she intends to share her struggle and help others. Australian Cricket organizes a 'Pink Test' once in their home season as an ode to this initiative.

2. Andrew Strauss

Ruth Strauss, the spouse of former England Cricketer Sir Andrew Strauss, passed away in 2018. She was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer, which affected non-smokers. In her memory, the Ruth Strauss Foundation was founded. They support families suffering from loss due to this cancer and conduct research to fight the illness. The Foundation arranges several events around the U.K. During the 2021 India tour of England, both English and Indian players wore red caps to show their solidarity with the cause on day two of the second test match.

3. Rohit Sharma

India's premier batsman and vice-captain in the limited-overs games, Rohit Sharma, has voiced out his support on the issue of one-horned Rhinos. In one of the Indian Premier League 2021 games against Bangalore, Rohit walked with shoes that had the art, Save Rhinos. Everyone appreciated this gesture. In 2018, WWF India's Rhino Conservation announced Rohit Sharma as their ambassador. Besides Rhinos, Rohit has often spoken about the need to save the oceans. With a massive following on social media, he involves thousands of people in conversations regarding the same.

4. Kevin Pietersen

Former English Batter Kevin Pietersen has been the face of rhino conservation in cricket. Since his official retirement from cricket, Kevin has been associated with the cause of saving the rhinos. He shot National Geographic's documentary 'Save the Rhino' in 2020. The documentary sheds light on the plight of the Indian Rhinos. Kevin, like Rohit, has been very vocal about all the activities and the need to conserve rhinos. He's voiced his dissent about the acts of poaching and abuse against the animals.

5. Brett Lee

Australian Legend Brett Lee founded "Mewsic - The Brett Lee Foundation" in 2011. This initiative aimed to serve underprivileged Indian children through music. The Foundation promotes Music Therapy in the country. They also have associated centers in different cities for teaching music. Besides, they also hold timely workshops to help children learn various instruments and empower themselves.

6. Muttiah Muralitharan

In the early 2000s, Muralitharan and Kushil Gunasekera established the 'Foundation of Goodness.' Founded in the coastal village of Seenigama, the Foundation served the locals with their basic needs of education, healthcare, and housing. The project gained popularity among the cricket fraternity, and cricketers from Australia and England offered their assistance to the cause. The Foundation aims to build a sports complex for war-hit civilians. The million-dollar plan would include a school, IT training centers, and a sports center.

7. Imran Khan

The former Pakistan captain and the current Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, was famous for his charitable work during the days he played cricket. The Foundation aims to improve the living standards of Pakistanis by catalyzing economic growth and advocating for emergency funds. The World Cup-winning captain had generated funds for the first cancer hospital in Pakistan. The death of his mother due to cancer was his motivation to do so.

8. Steve Waugh

The World-Cup winning captain of the Australian team, Steven Waugh, founded the 'Steve Waugh Foundation' in 2005. The Foundation works to improve the standard of living of the children with rare diseases. Before starting his Foundation, Waugh worked with the 'Udayan' in Kolkata, which works for children affected by Leprosy. The initiative was made famous by Steve Waugh with his association. Steve Waugh, along with Lynette, organizes events to generate the funds for the cause.

9. Yuvraj Singh

Man of the tournament for the 2011 World Cup and a cancer survivor himself, Yuvraj Singh founded the 'Youwecan". The Foundation focuses on several healthcare issues, with cancer being at its center. Besides assisting cancer patients, the Foundation also works to rub off the stigma attached to the illness. After detecting cancer in 2011, Yuvraj took a year's treatment and made a comeback in the national team in 2012.

10. Ricky Ponting

Two-time World Cup winner Ricky Ponting founded the 'Ponting Foundation.' The Foundation is dedicated to helping families beat cancer. The Ponting Foundation works with several Australian research groups and trusts to raise funds. Besides arranging for funds, the Foundation works towards providing emotional and financial support to the patients. The Ponting Foundation has received significant contributions from the Tasmanian government in Australia.