Old foes resume battle, shoulder to shoulder in the shadow of tragedy

The violence and aftermath in Bondi have cast the third Test in a sombre light, as England bid to start fightback

- Ali Martin Adelaide

Adelaide may be 1,300km west of Bondi but the sense of pain in the city has been no less for the distance. People are in shock here trying to make sense of the horrors that unfolded on Sunday evening - a day that was supposed to be one of celebration for Sydney’s Jewish community.

As the first national public event being staged in Australia since then, the third Ashes Test that starts here tonight UK time will play out to a sombre backdrop. The flags at Adelaide Oval will fly at half-mast, a minute’s silence will be observed before the coin toss, while players are likely to wear black armbands throughout. Inevitably, security for the match has been increased.

It will doubtless be an emotional week for Australia’s players and not least given the number of links to New South Wales within their squad. Nathan Lyon summed up the helplessness many were feeling yesterday, offering thoughts and prayers to those affected before admitting: “Nothing I’m going to say right now is going to make anyone feel any better.”