The England and Australia teams will wear black armbands and observe a moment’s silence on the first day of the men’s and women’s Ashes series following the Nottingham attacks, in which three people were killed earlier this week.
Two of those were students at the University of Nottingham, Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and keen cricketers. O’Malley-Kumar represented England at hockey at the age-group level and played for Woodford Wells Cricket Club in London. Webber was a member of Bishops Hull Cricket Club in Somerset, and had been selected for the university team. The third victim, Ian Coates, was a popular school caretaker.
A 31-year-old man is being questioned on suspicion of murder.
In response to the tragedy, England’s and Australia’s cricketers and support staff, as well as the match officials, will don black armbands and observe a moment’s silence on the first day of each of this summer’s Ashes series. The men’s Ashes begins tomorrow (June 16) at Edgbaston in Birmingham, while the women’s Ashes starts with a five-day Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, the scene of the attacks.
“The deeply distressing scenes witnessed in Nottingham this week have brought immense sorrow to everyone, particularly the cherished friends and families of the victims,” said England men’s captain Ben Stokes. “It is impossible to express how much their lives and futures have been tragically disrupted.
“These events sadden the England cricket teams, and we are thinking about those affected at this harrowing time. As a gesture of respect, we will honour them by wearing black armbands.”
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“It was incredibly saddening to learn about the events that took place in Nottingham, and it felt a bit closer to home to learn that two of the victims had been cricket players,” added England women’s captain Heather Knight. “All of our thoughts are with the families and friends of everyone affected by the tragedy, and with the city of Nottingham.”
