Why Are England Players Wearing Special Headband On Day 2 Of Oval Test?

The second day of the fifth Test between England and India is underway at The Oval, and it’s bright and sunny in London, unlike day one, which was heavily interrupted by rain. 

Josh Tongue began proceedings on the day for the hosts but what immediately caught the eye was the sight of many English players, including stand-in skipper Ollie Pope, rocking special headbands. So, what are these headbands, and why are they being worn by the English players?

Well, special headbands are being worn by the English players to honour the late Graham Thorpe, who tragically took his own life last year.

Thorpe, a legendary England batter of 100 Tests, was only 55 at the time of his death and on his 56th birthday (today), the ECB are honouring him by celebrating ‘A Day For Thorpey’.

"That day will be very powerful," Thorpe’s wife Amanda told BBC Sport.

"We want to celebrate him and his memory. His light was so bright."

According to Sky Sports, “Headbands designed by the family will be sold to raise funds, and Mind's 'Bat and Chat' sessions will be renamed 'Thorpey's Bat and Chat' with plans to expand them nationwide.”

Thorpe scored 6,674 runs in the 100 Tests he played, averaging 44.66 while scoring 16 hundreds.