Revealed: Why England players and fans are wearing white headbands in Oval Test against India?

The English players, as well as former cricketers, were all seen donning the white headbands on Day 2 of the India vs England 5th Test to pay tribute to the former English batter Graham Thorpe on the day that could have been his 56th birthday.

Alongside the England players, fans, and several former cricketers like Nasser Hussain, who is part of the commentary team, were also seen donning the white bands, honouring the great Englishman on his birthday.

The decision was taken by the Surrey County Cricket Club after the death of the former English batter turned coach. He died last year by suicide after suffering from mental health issues, his family admitted.

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Why are English players and fans wearing white headbands on Day 2 of the India vs England 5th Test?

The former English stalwart, Graham Thorpe, is known as one of the monumental figures in English cricket who has made an immense contribution to their domestic history as well. During his playing days, Thorpe was seen donning a white headband.

With almost 3 days left for a year's completion since his death, Graham Thorpe has been honoured by players as well as fans on the day that would be his 56th birthday. The gesture was part of a special day dedicated to Thorpe, while also raising awareness about mental health, a cause that eventually led to the death of the English cricketer.

The entire English playing 11, skipper Ben Stokes, as well as several former cricketers, donned the iconic white headbands, which Thorpe made famous during his playing time.

Today would have been Graham Thorpe’s 56th birthday.

Today we remember Thorpey and his incredible contribution to cricket and the cricketing community.

A Day for Thorpey ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JTQpnLD1oa

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 1, 2025

ALSO READ: 4 wickets for 6 runs: India suffer horrible collapse in Oval Test as Gus Atkinson runs riot

Graham Thorpe, the wonderman for Surrey

Thorpe played 100 Tests for England and amassed 6744 runs, while he also played 82 one-day internationals before leaving the format in 2002. He played till 2005 for the Three Lions in the longest format of the game.

With a Test average of 44.66, Thorpe scored 16 hundreds and 39 fifties, with the highest Test score of 200*, making him one of the finest English middle-order batters.

However, more than England, he has served Surrey in the domestic competition, where he played from 1988 to 2005 until his retirement. Having played in 341 games, he scored 21,937 runs with an average of 45 and 49 centuries to his name.

He is often considered one of the greatest Surrey batters with an extensive record at The Oval, which has been his home ground for such a long career.

Gus Atkinson stuns on return; India bundled in no time on Day 2

English paceman Gus Atkinson was healing from an injury for a long time and made his comeback into the England side with the final India vs England Test at The Oval. He replaced Brydon Carse on the side and has immediately shown what he is capable of.

After 6 wickets had fallen in the Indian innings on Day 1, Atkinson had picked two wickets already, but he came back stronger on Day 2, as he bundled the Indians in no time. India were bowled out for 224, scoring just 20 runs at the loss of 4 wickets. Atkinson finished the innings with a five-wicket haul.