Here's why players, umpires are wearing black armbands in WTC final

LONDON: Players from South Africa and Australia, along with umpires and officials, were seen wearing black armbands during the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on Friday.

A day earlier, more than 200 people were killed in a devastating Ahmedabad plane crash when a London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 people crashed shortly after takeoff. The crash marked one of the worst disasters in a decade.

Before the start of play on day three of the WTC final, umpires, match officials, and players from both teams observed a one-minute silence, wearing black armbands in a demonstration of unity with the victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash.

Australia set South Africa 282 to win, after Mitchell Starc’s vigil 58* on the third day.

Australia started the proceedings on day three of their second innings with a score of 144 for 8, leading by 218 runs with Nathan Lyon (1) and Mitchell Starc (16) on the crease.

Australia began day three of their second innings with a score of 144 for 8, leading by 218 runs with Nathan Lyon (1) and Mitchell Starc (16) on the crease.

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It was the third over of the morning when South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada trapped Lyon lbw, who could only add one run to his overnight score.

With an early wicket, the Proteas could soon wrap up Australia’s innings; however, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood forged a vital 59-run partnership which took the title holders into a commanding position.

Starc was the lead aggressor, reaching his 11th Test half-century while Hazlewood held firm at one end. The duo frustrated South Africa, scoring at 3.13 in an over.

Both players helped Australia stretch the lead past the 250-run mark, making it an uphill task for South Africa’s batters in the WTC final.

The partnership was finally broken just before lunch as Hazlewood was caught off Aiden Markram’s bowling. He scored 17 off 53 deliveries while Starc remained unbeaten on 58* off 136 balls.

For South Africa, it was Kagiso Rabada again, taking four wickets while Lungi Ngidi chipped in with three wickets.

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