Australia and England’s players took the field wearing black armbands for the Adelaide Ashes Test. Here’s why.
The two sides, wearing black armbands, observed a moment’s silence before play in the third Test to pay respect to victims of the Bondi Beach tragedy, a shooting targetting the Jewish community in the days before the game. Fifteen people were killed in the attack, making it the country’s deadliest mass shooting in almost 30 years. The moment’s silence was followed by a rendition of ‘True Blue’ by John Williamson, an unofficial Australian sporting anthem also performed at Steve Irwin’s public memorial service.
It’s the second time in two games that the Ashes has been played in mourning, with England great Robin Smith’s death ahead of the Gabba Test casting a shadow over proceedings.
In the game itself, Australia recovered after the loss of two early wickets to build to 94-2 at lunch. Usman Khawaja, a surprise presence in the home XI following Steve Smith’s absence due to illness, top-scored in the morning with an unbeaten 41 after Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse removed both openers.
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