Poppy wearing England players pay respects on Armistice Day

The visiting England cricket team paid tribute to their nation's war dead on Armistice Day, wearing the red flower symbol 'poppy' and observing a minute's silence before the start of the third day's play in the first Test against India here.

Alastair Cook's men wore shirts featuring a poppy on the right collar during play on the third day which falls on Armistice Day. The England players and management also observed one minute's silence on the outfield before the start of play.

Armistice Day is commemorated every year on November 11 to mark the truce signed in 1918 between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiegne in France to end the World War I.

"It's important for the national team to pay their respects. We want to show our appreciation and thank all of our Armed Forces personnel for the fantastic work they do, and their families who support them."Cook said.

The England cricket team's show of respect to their nation's soldiers came even as their country's footballers headed for a for a collision with FIFA over the commemorative flowers. 

FIFA does not allow teams to wear political, commercial or religious symbols. But the teams of England and Scotland have vowed to defy the ban during their 2018 World Cup qualifying match on Friday.