table of contents
The New Zealand national cricket team took the field wearing black armbands on the first day of the third and final Test against the England national cricket team at Trent Bridge on Thursday (June 25).
This match is the deciding match of the Test series, New Zealand won the second Test at the Oval by 253 runs while England won the first Test at Lord’s by 115 runs, after which the series is level at 1-1.
Why do New Zealand players wear black armbands?
The ongoing third and final is crucial for both the teams, as they aim to not only seal the series but also clinch crucial ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points. New Zealand captain Tom Latham chose to bat first against Ben Stokes and his team at Trent Bridge after winning the toss.
Surprising many, New Zealand players took the field against New Zealand wearing black armbands to pay tribute to one of the country’s most revered heroes, Bob Blair, who died in England on his 94th birthday. They are mourning the loss of one of their bravest heroes, Blair, who passed away on June 23.
“As a mark of respect to Bob Blair and his family, the Blackcaps will wear black armbands on the opening day of the third Test against England in Nottingham on Thursday,” New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a statement.
Today we remember Bob Blair
After learning that his fiancĂ©e Nerissa Love had been killed in the Tangiwai disaster, Blair returned to the crease for New Zealand in South Africa in one of cricket’s most powerful displays of courage and resilience.
Read more: https://t.co/ulvE4L6RMq pic.twitter.com/VUUKNqDY2X
— BlackCaps (@BLACKCAPS) June 25, 2026
Bob Blair’s courage made him a great New Zealand sportsman
Blair’s cricketing achievements were remarkable, but his incredible courage during New Zealand’s 1953 tour of South Africa made him a legend in the game. His story is one of the most emotional and inspirational stories in New Zealand cricket history.
On Christmas Eve, Blair received the devastating news that his fiancĂ©e, Nerissa Love, had lost her life in the horrific Tangiwai rail crash, one of New Zealand’s worst tragedies, which took 151 lives. Despite being heartbroken and in extreme grief, the 21-year-old showed extraordinary strength and continued in the second Test against South Africa at Ellis Park.
No one expected him to return that day. But with New Zealand struggling and with only one wicket left, Blair unexpectedly walked in to bat at Ellis Park. There was silence in the stadium when fans and players saw him coming to the crease.
Tangiwai Shield keeps Blair’s legacy alive
At the other end was Bert Sutcliffe, who had already gone through a painful day after being hit by the ball several times and even had to go to hospital before returning to continue his innings. He made a fighting partnership of 33 runs against South Africa.
His courage, determination and strength to keep going when life seemed impossible left a lasting impact. When Blair was stumped, the entire stadium stood up and greeted him. There were tears in the eyes of players, officials and fans. That unforgettable moment is engraved in the story of cricket.
In 2024, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) introduced the Tangiwai Shield for Test series between the two countries, honoring the story that united them through tragedy and resilience. Notably, Blair worked as a coach at clubs and associations in Queensland, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Northern Ireland and England after his retirement.
