Australia's players are wearing black armbands in the first T20I against New Zealand. Here's why.
Black armbands: Australia pay tribute to Alex Carey's father
The first of three T20Is kicked off today (October 1) at Mount Maunganui. At the toss, Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh came out sporting a black armband, and they were visible on members of the Australia team as they lined up for the national anthem.
An update from the Cricket Australia website outlined the reason: "The Australian players will wear black armbands in honour of Carey's father Gordon, who died last month following a battle with leukaemia." Gordon was diagnosed with cancer in 2021, and unfortunately missed Alex's Test debut at the Gabba in 2021, due to his chemotherapy sessions.
Carey announced his father's passing on September 25, with an Instagram post saying, "Rest in peace Dad. I love you." His participation in this T20I series was still in doubt at that point, but he did make it in the end to take the keeping gloves. Carey was added to the squad only after regular wicketkeeper Josh Inglis was ruled out through injury. New Zealand are without all-rounder Rachin Ravindra after he suffered a facial laceration in practice – his place in the squad was taken by Jimmy Neesham.
Marsh won the toss and put New Zealand in to bat. The hosts were reduced to 6-3, before a fightback was mounted by Tim Robinson and Daryl Mitchell.
1st T20I, New Zealand vs Australia
vs
- Ball by ball Over
New Zealand vs Australia, first T20I playing XIs
New Zealand
Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy.
Australia
Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Matthew Short, Tim David, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Owen, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
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