Why England cricketers are wearing black armbands in the day-night Ashes Test

The second Test of the ongoing 2017-18 Ashes, the first day-night game of the historic series, is currently underway at the Adelaide. The England players, having been humiliated in the first Test, aren’t leaving any stone unturned in trying to rile up the Australian batsmen, with Stuart Broad and Steve Smith engaging in a little verbal banter in the second session of the opening day.

Despite the competitive approach on the field, the England team, as well as the world of cricket, is in a state of mourning, after the passing away of first-class umpire Richard Evans, a former County cricketer, at the age of 52.

To pay tribute to the deceased, English cricketers are wearing black armbands in the Adelaide Test. Evans died after complications occurred in a routine medical procedure.

A right-handed batsman during his playing days, Evans represented Nottinghamshire in six first-class games.

Evans was recently appointed as the First Class Umpires’ representative in the Cricket Discipline Commission. He has previously stood in England Women’s ODI and T20I games.

Black armbands in sport are generally used to signify mourning for a team member of comrade who has passed away, with members sporting the bands in their first match after the passing away and is generally accompanied by a moment of silence before the game.

It gained universal attention when the 32nd US President, Franklin D. Roosevelt wore one to mourn the death of his mother when he signed the declaration of war against Japan in late 1941.

In September this year, during the ODI series against India, Australian team members wore armbands to pay tribute to former Test spinner Bob Holland, who had passed away following a prolonged battle with brain cancer.

Earlier this year, Team India members were seen wearing black armbands as a mark of respect for India’s U-19 trainer Rajesh Sawant, who had passed away in a hotel room in Mumbai, as well as for Tousif Ali, Mohammed Shami's father, who died following a heart attack.