Why India And England Players Observed Silence, Wore Black Armbands During 3rd ODI?
England captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to bat in the third and final ODI of the three-match series against India at Lord's, London.
- England captain Harry Brook won the toss and chose to bat in the third ODI against India at Lords
- Players and officials observed a minute's silence for West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers before the match
- Sobers passed away at age 89 and was widely regarded as one of cricket's greatest all-rounders
England captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to bat in the third and final ODI of the three-match series against India at Lord's in London. Before the match got underway, players from both sides observed a minute's silence in tribute to West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers, who passed away on Friday at the age of 89. The players also wore black armbands as a mark of respect for the iconic all-rounder, widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers in the history of the game.
Players of both teams, along with the match officials, lined up on the field to honour Sobers, widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder in cricket history, with a minute's silence.
The perfectly observed minute's silence drew deep respect from the packed Lord's crowd, thus evoking a wave of nostalgia and respect for Sobers. Born in Barbados, Sobers was an unparalleled titan of the game whose international career ran from 1954 to 1974.
He amassed 8,032 runs in 93 Tests at a staggering average of 57.78, while also claiming 235 wickets and holding 109 catches. He was also famously the first batter in first-class cricket history to smash six sixes in an over, a feat achieved in 1968.
"To the community of West Indies cricket, he is a legend - one of the greatest all-rounders ever. I saw him a couple of months ago when I was at home in Barbados and he said he was moving well for his age. I was very sad to hear the news (of his passing)," England pacer Jofra Archer had said to broadcasters ahead of the third ODI.
Apart from captaining West Indies in 39 Tests, Sobers is also one of only two players, alongside Jacques Kallis, to achieve the double of 8,000 runs and 200 wickets in Tests. Young batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell, talking to the broadcasters, remembered Sobers as a 'larger than life' figure and recalled how he helped him play for England.
"He was a larger-than-life character, whether around the golf club when I used to go and play a couple of rounds with him or in and around the cricket stuff that I witnessed. First of all, he was a very humble guy that just everybody gravitated towards.
"Every time he walked into anywhere, the place would come alive. It was unbelievable to be able to spend a bit of time with him and be around someone of that calibre. The major helping point for me personally was helping me get over to England. (The reference he wrote) helped me a lot to get over here and do what I'm doing now."
(With IANS Inputs)
West Indies Cricket Team
India Cricket Team
England Cricket Team