The first Test of the three-match series between England and Sri Lanka is underway at Old Trafford, Manchester, with Ollie Pope captaining England for the first time due to regular captain Ben Stokes' injury. Stokes sustained the injury during The Hundred tournament and is missing ENG vs SL Test series.
Meanwhile, England players are wearing black armbands in ENG vs SL 1st Test match, leading to questions about the reason behind this gesture.
Here's why England players are wearing black armbands in ENG vs SL 1st Test in Manchester
England players are wearing black armbands in ENG vs SL 1st Test to honor the late Graham Thorpe, who passed away on August 4th. Thorpe, a great England batsman, played 100 ODIs and 82 Test matches for England between 1993 and 2005. Both Sri Lankan and English teams paid tribute to him before the start of the series opener.
Graham Thorpe's inspiring career
Graham Thorpe, celebrated as one of England's great batsmen, amassed 6,744 runs in Test cricket at an average of 44.66, including 16 centuries. In ODIs, the stylish left-handed batter scored 2,380 runs at an average of 37.18, with 21 fifties to his name.
ENG vs SL Test series: Ben Stokes, Zak Crawley sidelined with injuries
England's regular captain, Ben Stokes, isn't part of ENG vs SL Test series due to an injury sustained during The Hundred tournament. Another star player Zak Crawley is sidelined with a finger injury. To replace the duo, England has included Matthew Potts and Daniel Lawrence in the squad. For Sri Lanka, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake is making his debut in this series.
Ollie Pope, on eve of ENG vs SL 1st Test, confirmed they will pay tribute to Thorpe
"We'll have our black armbands on throughout the course of the game and there'll be a tribute to him [Graham Thorpe] before. It's hurt a lot of people in that changing room. He was a great man. I probably had two or three years playing with him as a batting coach. I really admired him.
"I remember him saying one thing to me, which was: 'Never let the runs you're scoring define you as a person'. In a bit of a rut when you're young, that was exactly what I needed to hear. It shows, for me, what a people's person he was. He was loved in the changing-room. He's such a sad loss to everyone: to the country, his family and the boys as well. He's missed, and we'll honour him this week," Pope had said.