Ashes: The wait is finally over as one of the most-awaited Test series between England and Australia has finally kickstarted. England’s men’s and women’s players will wear black armbands on Day one of their Test match against Australia this month as a tribute to victims of a stabbing and van attack in the English city of Nottingham.
Ashes: England And Australian Players Are Wearing Black Armbands
Besides armbands, a minute of silence was also observed before the men’s opening Ashes Test at Edgbaston on Friday, as well as the women’s one-off test against Australia in Nottingham from June 22-26.
“The deeply distressing scenes witnessed in Nottingham this week have brought immense sorrow to everyone, particularly the cherished friends and families of the victims,” England men’s test captain Ben Stokes said.
“It is impossible to express how much their lives and futures have been tragically disrupted.”
“These events sadden the England cricket teams, and we are thinking about those affected at this harrowing time. As a gesture of respect, we will honour them by wearing black armbands.”
England and Australia will wear black armbands today following the incidents in Nottingham this week that left three people dead #Ashes | #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/ipUDEKXT5c
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 16, 2023
For the unversed, three people died and another one was left in a critical condition after the attack. One of the victims, Grace Kumar, had played hockey for England’s Under-18 team and cricket for Woodford Wells Cricket Club. Grace’s fellow student Barnaby Webber was said to be a keen cricketer.
“It was incredibly saddening to learn about the events that took place in Nottingham, and it felt a bit closer to home to learn that two of the victims had been cricket players,” England women’s captain Heather Knight had said earlier.
England’s Playing XI:
Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, and James Anderson
Australia’s Playing XI:
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Nathan Lyon
