Tribute to Victims: Australia and England Players to Wear Black Armbands During Ashes Test

In a poignant tribute, players from Australia and England will wear black armbands during the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval to honor the victims of the recent Bondi Beach shooting. The tragic incident, which occurred during Hanukkah celebrations, resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries. Flags will be lowered, and a moment of silence will precede the match, with Australian singer John Williamson performing in remembrance. Both captains expressed their shock and condolences, emphasizing the impact of such violence on the community and the world.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 16, 2025, 15:46 IST

A Somber Tribute at the Ashes Test

Adelaide [Australia], December 16: In a heartfelt gesture, players from both Australia and England will don black armbands during the upcoming third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval, commencing Wednesday. This tribute is dedicated to the victims of the tragic shooting incident that occurred at Bondi Beach in Sydney, as reported by a leading sports news outlet.

The horrific attack on December 14 resulted in the loss of fifteen lives and left numerous others injured as people gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

In a show of respect, flags at Adelaide Oval will be flown at half-mast, and a moment of silence will be observed prior to the 'Welcome to Country' ceremony and the national anthems on the first day of play. Additionally, Australian folk artist John Williamson is set to perform his song 'True Blue' in honor of the shooting victims, according to the same sports news outlet.

Australian captain Pat Cummins expressed his shock upon hearing the news of the attacks on Sunday night. He stated, "Like many Australians and people globally, I was horrified watching the news unfold. I had just put the kids to bed and turned on the news when the reports came through. My wife and I watched in disbelief," he shared ahead of the Adelaide Test.

Living near Bondi, Cummins added, "It's a location we frequently visit with our children, so this incident hit home quite hard. My thoughts are with the Bondi community and especially the Jewish community. The scenes we've witnessed over the past few days have been deeply impactful. We will wear armbands throughout the Test to honor the victims."

England's captain Ben Stokes referred to the Bondi Beach shootings as an "incredibly sad" day for Australia. He recounted how he and his teammates watched the tragic events unfold from their hotel room in Adelaide, left in stunned silence.

Stokes remarked, "What transpired a couple of days ago was heartbreaking to witness. We were in our team room when the news broke, and there was complete silence as we absorbed the gravity of the situation. It's profoundly sad for Australia, Sydney, and the world. Such events put everything into perspective, and our hearts go out to all those affected. It's a dreadful occurrence to witness," he stated.