The three-match Test series between England and Sri Lanka got underway today at the Old Trafford in Manchester. England are missing their skipper Ben Stokes who has been ruled out of the entire series with Ollie Pope taking over. But why are teams wearing black armbands?

England and Sri Lanka Begin Test Series with Tribute to Graham Thorpe

As England and Sri Lanka face off in the first Test of a three-match series at Old Trafford, Manchester, the hosts won the toss, electing to bat first but encountered early setbacks. Both teams are wearing black armbands as a mark of respect for former England cricketer Graham Thorpe, who recently passed away.

Thorpe’s wife recently confirmed that he took his own life after a long struggle with depression. Thorpe, one of England’s most celebrated batsmen with 100 Test appearances, also served as the team’s batting coach. England’s stand-in captain, Ollie Pope, had announced on the eve of the match that they would honor Thorpe’s legacy with this tribute.

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Graham Thorpe, MBE, has passed away.

There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham's death. pic.twitter.com/VMXqxVJJCh
— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) August 5, 2024

In May 2022, Thorpe had made a serious attempt at taking his own life, following which Ben Stokes, in his first game as full-time Test captain, wore a shirt with Thorpe’s name.

“We’ll have our black armbands on throughout the course of the game and there’ll be a tribute to him 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.

The teams lined up for a moment of applause before the national anthems at the Old Trafford on the first morning of the Test and the players will wear black armbands throughout the game.

As far as the Test match is concerned, Sri Lanka are in tatters after opting to bat as they have lost three wickets for just six runs. Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka and Angelo Mathews have gone back to the pavilion and things are already looking tough for them.