England and Australia players took to the field with black armbands on Friday for the first test of the 2023 men’s Ashes series.
There was also a one minute silence observed before the rivals began at 11am in Edgbaston. Both sets of players have worn the armbands to remember victims of the Nottingham attacks on Tuesday.
The teams are set to take part in a hotly contested series this summer with Australia the form team having recently beaten India to win the World Test Championship, while England are impressing pundits with their new Bazball style.
Players will also wear black armbands in next week’s first women’s Ashes test at Trent Bridge.
Why are Ashes players wearing black armbands?
Both England and Australian players are making the gesture to honour the victims of the Nottingham attacks, two of whom were cricket players.
The incident earlier this week left students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber and school caretaker Ian Coates dead.
England captain Ben Stokes: “The deeply distressing scenes witnessed in Nottingham this week have brought immense sorrow to everyone, particularly the cherished friends and families of the victims.
“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.”
Heather Knight, who captains the women’s team, added her thoughts as she prepares to lead her team out on June 22.
“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,” she said.
“All of our thoughts are with the families and friends of everyone affected by the tragedy, and with the city of Nottingham.”
