Ashes jerseys to have players' names, numbers for first time in Test cricket
New Delhi: Test cricket is all set to undergo a major change as Australia and England will lineup with names and jersey numbers on their Test whites in the upcoming Ashes series.
ODI and T20I jerseys have had personalisation on their backs since a long time, but Test matches had to wait for this change.
England Cricket official Twitter handle confirmed the jersey number of team's Test match skipper Joe Root and wrote "Names and numbers on the back of Test shirts," as the caption.
Names and numbers on the back of Test shirts! ðŸ´ó §ó ¢ó ¥ó ®ó §ó ¿ðŸ pic.twitter.com/M660T2EI4Z
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 22, 2019
Earlier this year, there were reports that Ashes series between England and Australia would bring in modernisation of cricketing kits.
Cricketing fans on Twitter seemed divided on this development in Test cricket and made their voices heard on the social-networking platform.
"Absolutely no problem with numbers 1 to 11 etc but can't see the benefit of names or random high numbers on shirts. I guess it's all to do with increasing merchandise sales hoping a name will sell more. @YorkshireCCC," wrote one fan.
Absolutely no problem with numbers 1 to 11 etc but can’t see the benefit of names or random high numbers on shirts. I guess it’s all to do with increasing merchandise sales hoping a name will sell more. @YorkshireCCC
— Nicholas james Bramall (@jimbram61) July 22, 2019
"Names r okay bt never got the idea about these random numbers in cricket...could still live with it in ODIs n T20s bt spare tests...names r fine bt w/o numbers @ICC," another fan tweeted.
Names r okay bt never got the idea about these random numbers in cricket...could still live with it in ODIs n T20s bt spare tests...names r fine bt w/o numbers @ICC
— Mainak (@MGuptaLIVE) July 22, 2019
"I like it! After all anything that makes the game easier to follow is good - think about people with visual impairments for example," one Twitter user wrote.
I like it! After all anything that makes the game easier to follow is good - think about people with visual impairments for example.
— Andi (@admiralandrea) July 22, 2019
"A good addition. Improves both the supporter and media experience of seeing who it is. The game moves on. It's fine. The world won't fall off its axis," another Twitter user wrote.
A good addition. Improves both the supporter and media experience of seeing who it is. The game moves on. It's fine. The world won't fall off its axis.
— Aidan Begley (@aidanbegley) July 22, 2019
On July 14, England scripted history as they managed to win their maiden 50-over World Cup and the side will look to continue their winning momentum going.
England will take on Ireland in a one-off four-day Test from July 24 and then the team will face Australia in the Ashes, beginning August 1.
