Here's why South African, Australian players are wearing black armbands in WTC Final

The World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 between South Africa and Australia is heading towards an exciting finish, but the atmosphere at Lord’s took a somber turn on the morning of Day 3.

Before the start of play, both teams and the match officials gathered in the center to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the tragic Ahmedabad air crash. The players from both sides also wore black armbands as a mark of respect for the 241 people who lost their lives in the heartbreaking incident.

The air crash occurred on the afternoon of June 12 when a London-bound flight from Ahmedabad crashed shortly after takeoff. The entire tragedy unfolded in just 40 seconds, leaving only one survivor. The victims belonged to various nationalities, and the incident has deeply shocked people around the world.

Similar tributes were seen during the recent intra-squad match between India and India A, with players there also donning black bands in remembrance.

With the WTC Final taking place in London — the same city where the ill-fated flight was heading — the black armbands worn by the players serve as a gesture of solidarity with the victims and their families.

On the field, the match remains intense. Australia held a lead of over 258 runs on Day 3, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood at the crease and only one wicket remaining. Both teams have shown remarkable fight throughout the match. South Africa are looking to wrap up Australia’s second innings quickly and chase down a challenging target — something achieved only twice at Lord’s since 2000.