Ahmedabad plane tragedy: Australia, South Africa players pay tribute, unite to honour victims in WTC Final
NEW DELHI: Cricket took a sombre pause on Friday at Lord's, as players from Australia and South Africa united to honour the victims of the devastating Ahmedabad plane crash. Before play began on Day 3 of the World Test Championship final, both sides observed a one-minute silence and wore black armbands as a mark of respect.
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The tragedy unfolded on Thursday afternoon when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
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Bound for London, the aircraft came down in the Meghani area of Ahmedabad, claiming the lives of all 265 people aboard. The doomed flight carried 230 passengers, two pilots, and ten cabin crew.
Authorities revealed that the jet was under the command of Capt.
Sumeet Sabharwal, assisted by First Officer Clive Kunder, who had logged 1,100 flying hours, below the 1,500 hours typically required for command eligibility.
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The aircraft's heavy fuel load for the long-haul journey contributed to the intensity of the blaze that followed.
On the field, the WTC final remained delicately poised.
Australia, defending their title, held a 218-run lead at stumps on Day 2 after a dramatic day dominated by fast bowlers.
Pat Cummins, with a career-best 6/28 at Lord's, became just the eighth Australian to reach 300 Test wickets as South Africa were skittled for 138.
In reply, South Africa's bowlers fought back, reducing Australia to 144-8 by the close.
A crucial 61-run stand between Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc (16) helped steady the innings, though Australia's position remains precarious. The Proteas now eye a historic ICC trophy, needing to chase down what could be a tricky fourth-innings target.
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