ENG vs WI: Both teams to sport ‘Black Lives Matter’ logo throughout the series

England players are set to sport a ‘Black Lives Matter’ emblem on the collars of their Test jerseys throughout the 3-match Test series against West Indies, the ECB confirmed on Thursday (July 2). The first Test begins on July 8 at the Rose Bowl stadium in Southampton.

Last week, Cricket West Indies (CWI) had already announced that the Windies team will also be wearing the same logo, which has been designed by Alisha Hosannah, the partner of Troy Deeney, professional footballer and captain of Premier League side, Watford.

Both ECB and the CWI contacted Deeney, following which the ICC gave the final go-ahead to the boards. This is the same emblem that features on the jerseys of all 20 football clubs in the Premier League.

“The England and Wales Cricket Board fully support the message that Black Lives Matter. It has become a message of solidarity and a drive for progress and societal change. There can be no place for racism in society or our sport, and we must do more to tackle it,” said ECB CEO Tom Harrison. 

Our thanks go to Troy Deeney and his partner Alisha Hosannah, creator of the logo, who generously agreed to share it with us,” he added.

“No place for discrimination”

The decision to feature BLM logo was fully supported by the England cricketers, who’re currently training at Rose Bowl in their intra-squad warm-up game. Earlier, England captain Joe Root had stressed on the importance of the cause. The skipper further added that there is absolutely no room for any discrimination, anywhere.

“It is important to show solidarity to the black community and to raise much-needed awareness around the topics of equality and justice,” said Root, who is set to miss the first Test.

“The England players and management are unified in this approach and will use the platform of international cricket to fully support the objective of eradicating racial prejudice wherever it exists.”