Why Are India & England Players Wearing Black Armbands On Day 3 Of 1st Test At Headingley? Reason Revealed 

On the third day of the England vs India Test match at Headingley, players wore black armbands to honour former England fast bowler David ‘Syd’ Lawrence, who passed away at the age of 61. Lawrence had been battling motor neurone disease (MND), a serious illness that affects the nerves and muscles.

David Lawrence was a trailblazer in English cricket. Known for his fast bowling and powerful build, Lawrence played five Test matches between 1988 and 1992. His international career was sadly cut short by a terrible knee injury during a match in New Zealand.

After retiring from cricket, Lawrence stayed active in many ways. He became the president of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, the first Black person to hold that position.

In 2024, he was diagnosed with MND. Even while battling the disease, he stayed strong and positive. He began writing his autobiography, titled In Syd’s Voice, knowing that his ability to speak would slowly fade. He was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2025 for his contributions to cricket and the community.

His passing deeply moved the cricket world. A minute’s applause was held at Headingley in his honour. Both Indian and English players wore black armbands to remember him. David ‘Syd’ Lawrence was not just a cricketer. He was a fighter, a leader, and a voice for change. His legacy will live on in cricket and beyond.

ENG Vs IND, 1st Test: Jamie Smith’s Pull Shot Ends In Stunning Relay Catch By Ravindra Jadeja & Sai Sudharsan; Video

England batter Jamie Smith’s promising innings came to an end in dramatic fashion on Day 3 of the first Test against India at Headingley, as he was dismissed for 40 runs off 52 balls by pacer Prasidh Krishna. The dismissal showcased not just disciplined bowling but also exceptional teamwork and field awareness from India’s fielders.

The wicket came as Smith attempted a pull shot off a short delivery from Prasidh. Although he made decent contact, the timing wasn’t quite right. The ball soared toward deep square leg, where Ravindra Jadeja was stationed. Jadeja ran to his right and appeared set to complete the catch, but as he took it, he seemed to slightly misjudge the trajectory. Realizing he was losing his balance and heading toward the boundary ropes, Jadeja calmly tossed the ball back into the air to prevent a six.

That’s when Sai Sudharsan, fielding at deep backward square leg, came into the picture. Already converging on the ball, Sudharsan reacted quickly, moved to his right, and completed the catch just inside the ropes, making it a joint fielding effort to dismiss the English batter.

The smart fielding not only removed a set Jamie Smith, who had looked in good touch, but also lifted the Indian side with a moment of athletic brilliance. Prasidh Krishna, who was rewarded for his consistent short-ball strategy, added a key wicket to his tally as India looked to claw back control in the middle session.