England cricket captain Ben Stokes leads the way on a day of sporting tributes to the Queen 

England captain Ben Stokes said it was an ‘honour’ to play for England on Saturday as sport returned to pay tribute to the Queen.

A perfect minute’s silence was observed at the Oval ahead of the third day of the third Test against South Africa on Saturday.

Stokes’ men and a packed crowd then joined in a joyful rendition of God Save The King, the first time that had been heard at an international sporting event in this country since 1952.

‘We are honoured to be able to walk out on the field in her memory,’ said Stokes.

The emotional tribute to the Queen at the cricket came as more criticism was fired at football’s chiefs for cancelling the entire weekend schedule, a decision branded ‘a real shame’ by former England skipper Gary Lineker.

All sport had been cancelled on Friday, the day after the death of the Queen, at the age of 96.

There were also tributes paid at Wentworth during the PGA Championship, during Formula One qualifying in Monza where Queen Elizabeth II’s name was printed on the cars while there were minute’s silences held before Saturday’s rugby league and union matches.

Ben Stokes said that it was an honour to play for England as sport paid tribute to the Queen

It is believed English cricket has avoided being massively out of pocket by the third Test finally going ahead at the Oval on Saturday.

The ECB’s insurance does not cover cancellation caused by the death of a monarch, and losses of around £4million would have followed had it been cancelled.

The first day of the Test had been washed out on Thursday before the announcement to cancel Friday’s play following the Queen’s death.

A two-minute silence was observed by staff, players and caddies at Wentworth Golf Club

Gary Lineker said it ‘feels a real shame’ that football is missing the opportunity to pay its respects to Queen Elizabeth II this weekend

Meanwhile, the decision by the FA to call off this weekend’s football continues to come under fire. Chiefs were given the opportunity to go ahead but chose to postpone all matches as a mark of respect. 

Lineker led a growing chorus that football had missed an opportunity to pay its respects.

He tweeted: ‘Given the wonderful and moving scenes at the Oval, it feels a real shame that football is not taking place this weekend, therefore missing the opportunity to pay its respects.’