Australia vs England 3rd Test, Ashes 2025 26:  Before the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval, players from Australia and England united to hold a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims of the fatal mass shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney.

In honor of those who died in the assault earlier this week, the players from both teams lined up with their heads down before play began, wearing black armbands. At the first major athletic event in Australia after the tragedy, flags were flown at half-mast to show the mourning.

Australian singer-songwriter John Williamson sang a heartfelt rendition of True Blue during the memorial, spreading the song’s message of solidarity across the crowded stadium. With armed police officers positioned both inside and outside Adelaide Oval, where over 50,000 people were anticipated, the stadium was notably heavily secured. Todd Greenberg, chief executive of Cricket Australia, said that the sport supported people impacted by the violence. “The thoughts of everyone in the cricket world are with the victims of this terrible event, their families, friends and the Jewish community,” he said.

A father and son opened fire at the well-known beachfront and a surrounding park during the horrifying Bondi Beach incident, which happened during a celebration commemorating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The gunfire, which lasted for around ten minutes, claimed the lives of fifteen individuals and wounded scores more. The boy is still in a coma under police protection, while the father was subsequently slain.

Pat Cummins, an Australian captain who lives nearby, discussed the incident’s personal effects. He said, “We frequently take the kids there, and it’s a place that’s just around the corner from where we live.” “To see something like that happen is horrifying.” Ben Stokes, the captain of England, also sent his condolences to the tragedy’s victims.

He said, “It’s extremely sad for Australia, for Sydney, and for the world.” “This kind of moment serves as a reminder of what’s most important.”

Speaking about the game, Australia had a 2-0 lead going into the Adelaide Test after defeating England in the first two games thanks to a strong showing. They need to win in Adelaide to complete the five-match series, while England has to put up a better show to stay in the Ashes.