IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Why India-England Players Are Wearing Black Armbands Today?

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IND vs ENG 2nd Test: The second Test between India and England at Edgbaston began on a solemn note, with players from both sides wearing black armbands in honour of former England cricketer Wayne Larkins, who passed away on June 28.

The tribute marked a moment of reflection before the start of a highly anticipated clash, with England leading the five-match series 1-0 after a convincing five-wicket win in the first Test at Headingley.

England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to capitalise on favourable conditions. However, the mood at the start of the day was tinged with remembrance for Larkins, a stylish and impactful batter who left a lasting legacy in English cricket.

Wayne Larkins had a brief but notable international career, representing England in 13 Tests and 25 One Day Internationals between 1979 and 1991. He also featured in the 1979 World Cup final, where he came in to bat at No. 7 and bowled a couple of overs, contributing in both departments. Despite sporadic international appearances, one of his most iconic moments came during the 1989-90 tour of the West Indies. In just his seventh Test - more than eight years after his sixth - Larkins scored the winning runs at Sabina Park to give England a rare 1-0 series lead.

His time with the national side, however, was disrupted after he took part in the controversial rebel tour to South Africa in 1982, which led to a three-year ban from international cricket. While that halted his England career, Larkins remained a dominant force on the domestic scene.

A stalwart for Northamptonshire, he played more than 700 matches in county cricket and later joined Durham before retiring. Over the course of his prolific domestic career, he scored over 40,000 runs and racked up 85 centuries. Between 1978 and 1985, Larkins consistently crossed the 1,000-run mark in first-class seasons, with standout knocks of 236 and 252 in the summer of 1983.

Known for his graceful strokeplay and larger-than-life personality, Wayne Larkins will be remembered as a true servant of the game.