Eng vs SA, third Check

Day three of the third Check between England and South Africa started with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who handed away on Thursday on the age of 96.

In a transferring 10 minutes earlier than play acquired underway on Saturday, the Check match grew to become the primary sporting event wherein God Save The King has been performed since 1952, after rain had prevented the anthems being performed on Thursday, previous to the accession of King Charles III.

Each groups entered the sphere to silence because the capability crowd stood in anticipation of the tributes. The gamers and officers handed by means of a navy guard of honour earlier than lining up going through the Pavilion, whereas the respective administration groups stood on the fringe of the boundary.

A minute’s silence came about at 10:54am, adopted by a one-bell chime by Senior NCO Robert Brockelsby Miller of the Irish Guards. The South African nationwide anthem, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika then rang out throughout the silent floor, with no musical accompaniment from the singer, Laura Wright, earlier than the gang joined in with the primary rendition of the up to date English nationwide anthem. Each got ground-wide applause.

Regardless of the solemnity of the event, flags have been at full mast initially of play, on account of this being the day of the Accession Council’s assembly at St James’ Palace – the event at which the brand new King was formally proclaimed. In accordance with protocol, the Union Flag and all different official flags needs to be raised to full mast between the hours of 9am and 10:30am and stay at full mast till 1pm the next day, at which era the Union and official flags ought to return to being flown at half-mast.

“It has been very unhappy information for not solely the nation however the world with the Queen’s passing,” he stated. “She was somebody who devoted her life to the nation, somebody that we take unimaginable inspiration from and we’re honoured to have the ability to stroll out on the sphere in reminiscence of the Queen.

“We all know how a lot the Queen liked this sport, and the present should go on. I am positive she’ll be trying down on all the game that is nonetheless going forward over this weekend and that we’re going on the market in her honour. I am very happy and proud we will do this.”

After day two was cancelled as a mark of respect following the Queen’s passing, the choice was made on Friday afternoon to play on, following session with officers from the Division of Digital, Tradition, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Cricket South Africa. however with out an extension into Tuesday, that means there’ll solely be three days of play.

The primary-day (Thursday) washout means there can be 98 overs scheduled every day, with play capable of run till 7pm with the additional half-hour. The collection is tied 1-1. England struck laborious with the brand new ball, having chosen to bowl first on Thursday, claiming three wickets inside the primary seven overs of play.