Ahead of England vs Sri Lanka Test series, stand-in captain Ollie Pope announced that England players would wear black armbands during the Manchester Test to honour the late Graham Thorpe. Thorpe, a former cricketer and England’s batting coach, tragically passed away on August 4 at age 55. Pope expressed deep admiration for Thorpe, recalling his influential advice, and described the tribute as a solemn gesture to honour Thorpe’s significant contributions.