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England cricket team sing first official 'God Save The King' at a sporting event

England cricket team sing first official 'God Save The King' at a sporting event

The third Test against South Africa got underway on day three at the Oval, but not before the team paid tribute to the Queen.

England's third Test against South Africa became the first sporting occasion where 'God Save The King' was sung since 1952, on Saturday morning, as you can see in the video below.

The final Test match, of what has been an intriguing series, was due to start on Thursday morning, but rain all day led to no play being able to get underway.

That evening it was announced the Queen had passed away, with the ECB confirming that play on Friday would subsequently be suspended.

On Saturday the match finally got underway, on day three, with it not being able to be extended, meaning only three days of play will be possible.

Ahead of the day's play starting, both teams had their national anthems played as usual, with England's sung by Laura Wright, and it was a special occasion for the England players.

They, along with all those in the ground and of course Wright, sang 'God Save the Queen,' the first sporting occasion that has paid tribute to the new Monarch, King Charles III.

It was an incredible moment, and made further mockery of football's decision to cancel all games from the Premier League down to children's football this weekend.

Laura Wright sings the national anthem. Image: Alamy
Laura Wright sings the national anthem. Image: Alamy

The team's came out to all those in attendance standing to welcome them to the ground and they were met by a military guard of honour, as they made their way onto the Oval pitch.

Everyone then took a minute's silence, with the players facing the pavilion, and that was ended by a one-bell chime by Senior NCO Robert Brockelsby Miller of the Irish Guards.

The teams then stood for the national anthems, which were both met with huge applause, before the game got underway, two days later than initially expected.

Flags in south London were at full mast due it being the day that Charles is proclaimed the new King, but will return to half mast until 1pm tomorrow, due to protocol.

After the emotional start to the day, England showed that they've no plans to not go for the win, despite the match only having three days of play.

Ollie Robinson took wicket of Dean Elgar in just the second over of the day and finished the first session with figures of 4-21 after just eight overs.

He wasn't the only one with a wicket as James Anderson and Stuart Broad also joined in, to leave the tourists 69-6 at lunch, which was still a nice recovery from South Africa, who had been 36-6.

On Friday, the Test captain Ben Stokes, who had already won the toss and decided to field first on Thursday, before play was cancelled, had said he would be honoured to play in the Queen's memory.

He took to social media to share his feelings after former Norwich City striker Darren Huckerby had asked if people thought sport should still go ahead.

On Saturday morning, the all rounder and his players did the Queen, and the new King, proud, before and after play had started.

Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports/Barmy Army

Topics: Cricket, England, South Africa