Why are England cricketers wearing black armbands? Who Eoin Morgan and cricket team are paying tribute to in Ahmedabad

Joey Benjamin represented England, Surrey and Warwickshire (Getty Images)

England are taking part in the first of five T20 matches against India during their tour of the subcontinent.

All five games are being played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad with Indian superstar Virat Kohli labelling the visitors favourites in the series.

Indeed Eoin Morgan and his men got off to a sharp start against India reducing the hosts to 20-3 with Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Adil Rashid all claiming wickets.

The three bowlers and the rest of England’s 11 are wearing black armbands today in tribute to former player Joey Benjamin.

Why are England wearing black armbands?

England are paying tribute to Benjamin who died of a heart attack earlier this week.

The seam bowler made a sole test appearance for England against South Africa at the Oval in 1994 and appeared twice in ODIs against Australia

Former England and Yorkshire quick Darren Gough remembered his trip Down Under fondly, calling him “a great tourist” on Twitter.

The England and Wales Cricket Board paid tribute to Benjamin following news of his passing.

It wrote: “The ECB is saddened to learn of the death of former England bowler Joey Benjamin at the age of 60.

“Our thoughts are with Joey’s friends and family.”

Warwickshire also paid tribute to the bowler, writing: “Benjamin enjoyed four seasons with the Bears where he made 25 first-class and 26 List A appearances, taking a combined 87 wickets across both formats.

“The thoughts of everyone at Warwickshire CCC are with Joey’s family and close friends at this difficult time.”

Career of Joey Benjamin

Benjamin was born in St Kitts but made his name in English cricket, signing for Warwickshire after a spell in the minor counties before enjoying a career-best stint at Surrey between 1992 and 1999.

At the age of 33 he played his only Test match on home turf at the Oval in 1994, taking a first-innings haul of four for 42 in a match best remembered for Devon Malcolm’s match-winning nine-wicket blast in the second.

He went on to tour Australia for the 1994-95 Ashes, picking up two one-day international caps. He finished his playing days with 387 first-class wickets at 29.94 and added 173 more in List A cricket. After retirement he coached at Reigate Grammar School.