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Explained: Why Australia, England players have worn black armbands in 2nd Ashes Test

Rajgeeta Yadav

The Ashes 2025-26 [Source: AFP]The Ashes 2025-26 [Source: AFP]

During the second Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, fans noticed that both England and Australia’s players were wearing black armbands. England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat first, but before the match began, there was a brief and emotional tribute that explained the reason for the armbands.

Players and fans observe a minute’s silence for Robin Smith

Everyone in the stadium observed a minute of silence to honour Robin Smith, a former England and Hampshire cricketer, who passed away earlier this week. 

As a mark of respect, players from both teams are wearing black armbands throughout the match. This is a traditional gesture in cricket to pay tribute to someone who has made a significant contribution to the sport.

Robin Smith, a well-known former England batter, died suddenly in Perth on December 1 at the age of 62. His family confirmed the news, saying he passed away unexpectedly at his apartment in South Perth. Smith was admired for his courage at the crease, his strong batting technique, and his ability to handle some of the fastest bowlers of his time.

Robin Smith leaves a legacy behind

It is worth mentioning that Smith had an impressive international career. He played 62 Test matches for England between 1988 and 1996, scoring 4236 runs at an average of 43.67. His achievements included 28 half-centuries, nine centuries, and a memorable top score of 175. In 71 ODI matches, he scored 2419 runs, including four centuries.

At the domestic level, Smith was a loyal and iconic player for Hampshire, where he spent his entire first-class career. He made more than 26,000 first-class runs in 426 matches and scored 61 centuries. He also excelled in List A cricket, collecting nearly 15,000 runs over 443 games.

What makes his passing even more touching for the community is that just two weeks before his death, Smith spent time with the England Lions during their tour match in Perth. He talked to the young players for over an hour, sharing advice about moving into international cricket and telling stories from his long and successful career.