Ashes Teams Honour Bondi Victims with Black Armbands at Adelaide Test

Players from Australia and England will wear black armbands during the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval, which started today, in tribute to the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney.

Cricket Australia confirmed that flags at the ground will fly at half-mast.

A moment of silence was also observed before the “Welcome to Country” message and the national anthems ahead of the first day’s play on Wednesday. Australian folk singer John Williamson also performed his song True Blue as part of the commemoration.

Fifteen people were killed and several others injured after gunmen opened fire on crowds gathered in Sydney’s eastern suburbs during a Hanukkah event on Sunday.

Australia captain Pat Cummins said the attack had been deeply shocking, particularly given its proximity to his home in Sydney, where he lives. “Like most other Aussies and people round the world, [I was] horrified watching on,” Cummins said. “It does put things into a lot of perspective when you see things like that happen.”

England captain Ben Stokes said the squad watched the coverage together in their hotel and were left stunned. “It was silence from everyone in there seeing that happen,” he said. “It’s incredibly sad for Australia, for Sydney, and for the world.”

Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said the Test offered a chance to bring people together in reflection and solidarity. He added that the organisation would continue to look for ways cricket could support those affected, including the Jewish community.

South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas said additional security protocols would be in place at Adelaide Oval as a precaution, with the match sold out for the first three days.

Australia were 326/8 at the end of the first day’s play, with wicketkeeper Alex Carey scoring his third Test hundred and first against England.