England, South Africa and an emotional Kia Oval crowd unite in a series of gestures before play on day three of the third Test
English cricket has paid an emotional tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on day three of the LV= Insurance third Test between England and South Africa at the Kia Oval.
The deciding match of the series was given the green light to continue following talks between the ECB and the DCMS on Friday.
Britain's longest reigning monarch, who served for more than 70 years, died on Thursday (September 8) aged 96.
While English football and some boxing events have been postponed, cricket has continued, with events in south London very much at the epicentre.
The day began with images of the Queen being projected onto the big screens around the ground. Flags were at full mast, with an exception during the period of national mourning made for the day of the Accession Council on September 10 when His Majesty The King is formally proclaimed.
The Union Flag and all other official flags were raised to full mast between 9am and 10.30am and will remain so until 1pm tomorrow, at which time they should return to half-mast.
Images of the Queen adorned the big screens and advertising hoardings (Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Ten minutes before the scheduled start of play at 11am, military personnel walked onto the field of play and formed a guard of honour.
Both teams wearing black armbands, led by captains Ben Stokes of England and South Africa's Dean Elgar, and the match officials entered and took their places on either side of the wicket facing the pavilion while team management and remaining squad members stood on the boundary edge.
A minute's silence was then observed before a single bell chime completed by Senior NCO Robert Brockelsby Miller of the Irish Guards.
The Oval pays tribute to Her Majesty The Queen.#ENGvSA pic.twitter.com/JuuXsX0jQi
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) September 10, 2022
The National anthem of South Africa was then followed by God Save The King - played at a sporting event for the first time since 1952 - both performed by Laura Wright.
Fans attending the Leeds Rhinos-Catalans Dragons had spontaneously burst into a rendition of the anthem during their rugby league encounter on Friday - but this was the first official performance in 70 years.
Play then began on time, with England bowling first having won the toss and choosing to field prior to a washed-out first day.
Opera star Laura Wright led a rendition of God Save the King (BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
The Oval stands to sing 'God Save the King'. pic.twitter.com/sI87bQyaH0
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) September 10, 2022
This remains a five-day Test after talks between the ECB and Cricket South Africa failed to result in an extension. The Proteas fly home on Tuesday (September 13) and were not keen to change their schedule ahead of travelling to India on September 23.
Amid conversations regarding whether the sporting schedule would continue in the wake of the death of the Queen, Stokes had expressed a desire to "play in her memory".
Though not involved in talks regarding the future or length of the Test, it was clear the skipper was honoured that England men had an opportunity to pay their own tribute.
The Oval rises for God Save the King.
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) September 10, 2022
📹 @TheBarmyArmy pic.twitter.com/6ZRx4Om67v
"It's been very sad news for not only the nation but the world with the Queen's passing," he told Sky Sports.
"She was someone who dedicated her life to the nation, someone that we take incredible inspiration from and we are honoured to be able to walk out on the field in memory of the Queen.
"We know how much the Queen loved this sport, and the show must go on. I'm sure she'll be looking down on all the sport that's still going ahead over this weekend and that we're going out there in her honour. I'm very pleased and proud we can do that."
Players and fans united in tribute (BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
While this Test, the England v India women's T20I at Chester-le-Street and the Under-19 ODI between England and Sri Lanka are going ahead, English football has shut down for the weekend and some boxing events will not be staged.
"Sport is something people come to watch and enjoy but it also brings people together," Stokes added.
The way that we've played we've tried to do that this summer. We've probably got even more of a chance to do that with it only being three days of cricket.
"Everything we do out on the field this week will be to try and get a result this week. We don't play for draws, so we'll go out there and try to do everything to win."
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