SA vs AUS: The players of both teams were spotted wearing black armbands on the Day 1 of the inaugural AUS vs SA Test Match, owing to a horrific occurrence that devastated Australia 5 days earlier.
Notably, six murders occurred in Queensland’s Western Downs district, which is roughly 270 kilometres west of Brisbane, the state’s capital and site of the first test match between the Kangaroos and the Proteas.
In response to a missing person complaint submitted on December 4, four police officers were dispatched to Wieambilla. Three criminals—two men and a woman—who had been waiting at the scene before the unit arrived attacked it.
The confrontation resulted in the shooting deaths of two of the four police officers, Matthew Arnold (age 29) and Rachel McCrow (age 26), as well as a local resident. In honour of those who have passed away, the players in the current Test between Australia and South Africa are wearing black armbands.
In a rare instance, both Australian and South African cricketers have been spotted donning black armbands at The Gabba on Saturday. It is worth a mention that the same has been done as a mark of respect for the death of two police officials earlier this week.
Presenter James Sherry addressed the sell-out crowd before the game commenced, saying: “Earlier this week our nation was shocked and saddened by the tragic events that occurred in Queensland’s Western Downs.
Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends, the colleagues and all of those grieving the tragic deaths of Queensland Police constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow and Mr Alan Dare of the Wieambilla community.
First Test: Day 1 summary of SA VS AUS
SA vs AUS: At his team’s home stadium, The Gabba, Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bowl first. The bowling unit (skipper included) demonstrated the choice was sound by dismissing the South African unit for just 152 runs. The main destroyers, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, both took three wickets.
The only Proteas batsmen to score was Kyle Verreynne (64 off 96), who put up a 98-run partnership with Bavuma before adding minor partnerships with the tail.
The first test between South Africa and Australia since the historic Sandpapergate incident at Newlands was less stressful thanks to Marnus Labuschagne’s quick work readjusting Keshav Maharaj’s armband, which had fallen down his sleeve.
With Travis Head still unbroken at 78 off 77 deliveries, the hosts finished the day with a total of 145 for 5. At 3 for 27 runs, the Kangaroos were headed for a low total as well, but a 117-run partnership between Head and Smith (36 off 68) ensured that they completed Day 1 on top.
