Why is Usman Khawaja wearing black arm band during SCG Test?

Australian batter Usman Khawaja was spotted wearing a black armband on the opening day of the SCG Test match. This got the fans curious as none of the other players were wearing it. The gesture is a tribute to Ashwell Prince’s wife Melissa who passed away recently. 

Both Khawaja and Prince got to know each other through their time together in Lancashire. Prince who was a huge player for South Africa took to Instagram and wrote “It was extremely difficult to have to see you endure as much pain as you did in the last few months of your life. But we choose to remember you in the way that we knew you. A gem, one of the rare types who touched people's hearts in a special way wherever you went”

The former Protea star also wrote “We miss you mama and can hardly believe that you're gone. But you have made an imprint in all of our hearts that can never be erased. Happy New Year my love. Rest in Peace up there, your boys will always love you!'

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Devastating times for Ashwell Prince and family 

Melissa Prince took her last breath at the age of 41 after a long battle with illness. The pair got married in 2006 and are proud parents of three sons. It is said that both Usman Khawaja and Ashwell Prince became good friends and this latest gesture by Khawaja has touched everyone’s heart. 

Ashwell Prince had played 66 Test matches, 52 ODI matches and just 1 T20I game for his national side. The left-handed batter was known for his grit, determination and ability to bat for long hours. Prince made his Test debut for South Africa in 2002 against Australia during the Johannesburg Test match. 

By the time he retired from the game, Prince had scored 3665 runs with 11 centuries, 11 fifties and an average of 41. Prince also scored over 18,000 runs in 288 First-class matches with 45 centuries and 90 fifties and had an average of 44. His last game for South Africa came in 2011 against Sri Lanka during the Durban Test where he scored 11 and 7 before being dropped.