England women’s vice-captain Heather Knight, all-rounder Laura Marsh, and ECB’s Managing Director England Cricket, Paul Downton, today attended the Christchurch City Council civic memorial service to mark the fourth anniversary of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
The service, which took place on the Archery Lawn in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, remembered the 185 victims who died as a result of the natural disaster, which struck the city on February 22 2011.
Speaking after the event, Paul Downton – representing the England men’s team who were unable to attend the commemoration due to training commitments – said: “On behalf of the England and Wales Cricket Board, I would like to pay tribute to the victims of the Christchurch earthquake.
“The loss of life and destruction that occurred across the city on February 22 2011 was devastating and will forever be remembered. Today’s memorial service was truly touching, and was testament to the strength of the Christchurch community and wider New Zealand public.”
Paul Downton laid an official wreath during the Civic Memorial Service on behalf of the ECB earlier today pic.twitter.com/vUaSAtoBom
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) February 22, 2015
England women, who are in the middle of a five-match One Day International series and three-match Twenty20 International series against New Zealand women, arrived in Christchurch yesterday.
After the event, vice-captain Heather Knight spoke on behalf of her team-mates: “The 2011 Christchurch earthquake was a truly awful moment in the recent history of New Zealand. Taking part in the civic memorial service today has emphasised the enormous and far-reaching effect that the disaster had on the entire nation and in particular, our thoughts are with the families and friends of the 185 people who lost their lives.
“Travelling the world as an international cricketer is a real privilege. You get to see and experience things that you wouldn’t normally in everyday life, and being a part of the service today has given me a real sense of perspective."
British High Commissioner to New Zealand, Jonathan Sinclair, who was also at the service, said: “The 2011 earthquakes were a terrible reminder of the vulnerabilities that communities in New Zealand face from nature. The strength and resilience shown by the people of Christchurch has been remarkable and I’m pleased to have accompanied both Scotland and representatives from the two senior England teams, who have been able to show their respect by taking part in today’s service.”