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The second Test of the Ashes 2025-26 series, held at the Gabba in Brisbane, began with an emotional tribute as both the Australian and English teams took the field wearing black armbands. This gesture, a traditional mark of respect in cricket, immediately drew attention from fans and spectators watching the match. The players from both sides, led by captains Ben Stokes and Steve Smith (standing in for Pat Cummins), observed a moment of silence on the ground before the first ball was bowled.
Reason behind England and Australian players are wearing black armbands on Day 1 of pink-ball Test at Gabba
Robin Smith who passed away unexpectedly earlier this week in Perth at the age of 62. The players and everyone in the stadium observed a minute of silence before the start of play to honor the legendary cricketer, nicknamed The Judge. Smith died suddenly at his apartment in South Perth on December 1. His death sent shockwaves through the cricketing community, as he was highly admired for his courage at the crease and his strong ability to handle some of the fastest bowlers of his generation.
- International Career: Smith played 62 Test matches for England between 1988 and 1996, scoring 4236 runs at an average of 43.67 with nine centuries. He also featured in 71 ODI matches, scoring 2419 runs, including four centuries.
- Defining Moment: His top Test score of 175 was a gutsy innings against a formidable West Indies pace attack in Antigua in 1994, solidifying his reputation as a fearless batters.
- Domestic Icon: At the domestic level, he was an icon for Hampshire, where he amassed more than 26,000 first-class runs and captained the side, winning major domestic titles.
Also WATCH: Ashes 2025-26 : Mitchell Starc removes Ben Duckett for a golden duck on Day 1 of Pink-Ball Test
Zak Crawley and Joe Root anchor England’s recovery after early setbacks vs Australia at Gabba
On the first day of the second Test at the Gabba, Brisbane, England’s batting faced early turbulence as they lost both Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for just 5 runs on the board, both falling to Mitchell Starc. However, Zak Crawley and Joe Root led a strong recovery, steadying the ship with an unbeaten partnership.
Crawley, having scored 57 off 74 balls, played with composure, hitting seven boundaries. Root, alongside him, was not out at 32 from 59 balls. Together, they had moved England to 94/2 at the end of the first session. Despite the early setbacks, the duo’s resilience under the pressure of the pink ball was evident, and they kept Australia at bay with steady stroke play and calculated running between the wickets. Both players ensured that England avoided further damage and looked to build a substantial partnership in the coming sessions, with Harry Brook and Ben Stokes still to come. The Australian bowlers, including Starc, Scott Boland and Michael Neser, were consistent but lacked the penetration needed to break through during this phase. With a session of solid batting ahead, England remained in the hunt for a strong total in this crucial Ashes encounter
Also WATCH: AUS vs ENG, Ashes 2025-26: Brisbane Weather Forecast for the Pink-Ball Test
