29 July 2023 , 12:02
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England's cricketers wore the wrong shirts during the third day of the fifth Ashes Test against Australia to show support for the Alzheimer's Society.
It's the first time a day in an Ashes series has been dedicated to the charity. As the England players lined up at the start of the day's play for a rendition of 'Jerusalem', nine of them were wearing the wrong shirt. The only two players not involved were Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley because they went out to bat straight after the tribute.
Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow switched shirts, as did Stuart Broad and James Anderson. "A moving and powerful rendition of Jerusalem," noted England's official Twitter account.
Alzheimer's disease is the UK's most common cause of dementia, which is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. One in three people born in the UK will go on to develop dementia.
The Alzheimer's Society is a charity that offers support for those suffering from dementia and provides funding for research into finding a cure. "At Alzheimer's Society we're working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives," claims the charity.
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A statement from the Alzheimer's Society read: "Cricket should be unforgettable. But for thousands of people living with dementia, sadly this isn’t the case. We've teamed up with The ECB to raise awareness of dementia during the LV=Insurance Men's Ashes Test Match: Day 3 Supporting Alzheimer’s Society.
"Funds raised during the match will go towards funding faster diagnosis, pioneering research and our support services that help people through the most frightening times."
Former England batter Marcus Trescothick recently spoke about how dementia has impacted his father. "It's horrible to watch," Trescothick told The Cricketer ahead of the Test. "He just depleted gradually... it's hard to know what he's taking in."
Current England all-rounder Alice Davidson-Richards' father has also been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Speaking ahead of the Test, she praised the decision to dedicate the third day to the Alzheimer's Society. "It’s going to be amazing for Alzheimer's," Davidson-Richards told the PA news agency.
The third day of the fifth Ashes Test was dedicated to the Alzheimer's Society (Getty Images)Did you notice England's cricketers were wearing the wrong shirts? Let us know in the comments below!
"The cricket we’ve had so far this summer in the men’s and women’s Ashes series has been incredible, which makes an event like this for Alzheimer’s Society a really key point.
"I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to put themselves out there, get the awareness out there and really show what they’ve got to give and how much they can help people, give them vital hope at a time when it’s very tough for families affected."
Earlier this month, TV presenter and Mirror columnist Fiona Phillips told how she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease a year ago after suffering months of brain fog and anxiety. "This disease has ravaged my family and now it has come for me," she said.
"And all over the country there are people of all different ages whose lives are being affected by it - it’s heartbreaking. I just hope I can help find a cure which might make things better for others in the future."
Two other charities have also had a day in the Ashes series dedicated to them - the Ruth Strauss Foundation, which supports families facing the death of a parent to cancer, and the Bob Willis Fund, which is raising money for better prostate cancer screening.
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