Ashes 2021-22: Why were England players sporting black arm bands on Day 1 of the 1st Test at The Gabba

The England cricketers were seen wearing black armbands on Day 1 of the 1st Ashes Test match at The Gabba. And, the reason is to pay their tributes to former England cricketer Eileen Ash.

Ash was 110 when she died, and represented the England side in 7 Test matches, and picked up 10 wickets in her career. She also scored 38 runs with the bat as well. Ash was the oldest ever Test match cricketer.

Also, last week, during the 1st Test match at The Gabba in Brisbane, Ben Stokes sported a black armband to pay his tributes to his father, Ged Stokes, who passed away on 8th December 2020.

“Bit of chatter on comms about the 568 on Ben Stokes’ black armband. That was his father Ged’s cap number when he represented New Zealand in rugby league in 1982. Ged died a year ago today,” read a tweet from Will Macpherson.

You can see the tweet below

Bit of chatter on comms about the 568 on Ben Stokes' black armband. That was his father Ged's cap number when he represented New Zealand in rugby league in 1982. Ged died a year ago today.

— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) December 8, 2021

Australia dominates proceedings in the 2nd Ashes Test match

Australia have imposed themselves on the England side in the 2nd Ashes Test match at the Adelaide Oval. The kangaroos have piled up the misery on the England bowling attack, and the Aussie scorecard reads 301/5.

Steve Smith and Alex Carey are occupying the crease. Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner were the batters who pulverized the England side in the Australian 1st innings. While Labuschagne scored 103, Warner scored a classy 95.

England were decimated in the 1st Ashes Test at The Gabba in Brisbane. Australia thrashed the Joe Root led outfit by 9 wickets in the opening rubber, to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Australian skipper Pat Cummins has missed the 2nd Ashes Test after he came into contact with a person who was infected with Covid-19 before the match.