Usman Khawaja dons black armband for THIS reason in fifth India Test

SYDNEY: Australia top-order batter Usman Khawaja wore a black armband on Friday during the first day of the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India here at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Khawaja made this gesture in remembrance of a profound personal tragedy—the untimely passing of his friend, former South African cricket star Ashwell Prince’s wife, Melissa.

Prince, who played for South Africa in 66 Test matches and 52 One Day Internationals (ODIs) between 2002 and 2011, recently lost his 40-year-old wife to cancer.

The former South African cricketer announced the news on Instagram with a video and a caption honoring his late wife.

“It was extremely difficult to have to see you endure as much pain as you did in the last few months of your life,” he wrote.

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“But we choose to remember you in the way that we knew you. A gem, one of the rare types who touched people’s hearts in a special way wherever you went.”

“We miss you mama and can hardly believe that you’re gone. But you have made an imprint in all of our hearts that can never be erased.

“Happy New Year my love. Rest in Peace up there, your boys will always love you!”

It is important to note that Usman Khawaja and Prince developed a strong friendship while playing together for the Lancashire cricket team in England.

Khawaja came out to bat in the final session of the first day after India were skittled for a meagre 185 in their first innings. However, the veteran opener could not contribute much as he fell prey to Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah after scoring two runs off nine balls.

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