England players wore black armbands on the first day of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. Here's why.
The final Test of the 2025/26 Ashes had bouts of bad light and rain stopping play on the opening day, interrupting a brewing partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook. By the time an early Tea was called, they had stitched together a 154-run stand, recovering from a cluster of wickets in the first session. Eventually, no further play was possible, and stumps were called 45 overs in.
Earlier, England won the toss and chose to bat in what is Usman Khawaja's final Test, having announced his retirement a couple of days ago.
England players wear black armbands for Hugh Morris
England players were seen wearing black armbands as a tribute to Hugh Morris, the former England and Glamorgan batter, who passed away aged 62 on December 28. Morris led Glamorgan as their youngest-ever captain at 22, and went on to score 19,785 first-class runs, including 53 centuries. A Test call-up came in 1991, but he could add only two more caps, opening the batting alongside Graham Gooch against the West Indies and Sri Lanka. With Alec Stewart and Mike Atherton ending up being more long-term options, Morris couldn't hold on to his place longer.
He led England on 'A' tours, and notably won the Sunday League as captain for Glamorgan in 1993, their first major title in 24 years, and winning the County Championship four years later.
As administrator, Morris oversaw three successive Ashes wins between 2009 and 2013 as chief executive of the ECB, stepping down a day after the third series win.
Morris first dealt with cancer in 2002, when a lump on the side of his neck was detected. Two decades later, he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Players, crowd honour Bondi attack first responders
Players from both sides, as well as a packed SCG, also gave a standing ovation to first responders of the Bondi Beach attack last month. In a pre-match ceremony, heroes of that fateful day were given a guard of honour and applause, while those who passed away were remembered, with the fifteen names displayed on the big screen.
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