England Cricket Black Armbands: Why are English cricketers wearing black armbands today in Ahmedabad T20I vs India?

England Cricket Black Armbands: The English cricketers are seen wearing black armbands at the Narendra Modi Stadium tonight.

During the first T20I of the ongoing England’s tour of India in Ahmedabad, England new-ball pair of Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer has justified captain Eoin Morgan’s decision of winning the toss and electing to bowl first.

While India opening batsman Lokesh Rahul (1) played on to a Jofra Archer delivery, captain Virat Kohli (0) ended up giving a regulation catch to Chris Jordan at mid-off whilst wanting to hit Rashid over the in-field.

After Kohli puzzled one and all by resting vice-captain Rohit Sharma, India sent wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant ahead of batsman Shreyas Iyer at No. 4 to register another surprising decision.

England Cricket Black Armbands

England, who are playing a T20I in India after more than four years, are clearly seen wearing black armbands at the Narendra Modi Stadium tonight. It is worth mentioning that the black armbands have been worn as a mark of respect for former England fast bowler Joey Benjamin who passed away after suffering a heart attack earlier this week.

Benjamin, 60, had made his Test debut against South Africa at The Oval in 1994. While his ODI debut had come against Australia in Sydney later in the year, his only other international appearance was an ODI against Zimbabwe on the same tour at the Gabba.

In three international appearances, Benjamin’s five wickets had come at an average and strike rate of 25.40 and 48 respectively.

So sad to hear that former @WarwickshireCCC, @surreycricket & @englandcricket bowler Joey Benjamin has died.

He was 60.

Benjamin took 4/42 after being picked to play for England in a Test against South Africa in 1994.

Thoughts with his friends & family. #bbccricket pic.twitter.com/g81VNaAfoC

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) March 9, 2021

“The ECB is saddened to learn of the death of former England bowler Joey Benjamin at the age of 60. Our thoughts are with Joey’s friends and family,” ECB said in a statement on Benjamin’s demise.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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