The Home of Cricket, Lords, will turn red on the second day of the second Ashes test in honour of Ruth Strauss, the late wife of former England captain Andrew Strauss.

Ruth and her husband Andrew lived in Marlow for a number of years. In aid of the Ruth Strauss Foundation, supporters attending the crucial second Ashes test at Lords have been urged to dress in red.

Both sides will also show their support by donning special commemorative shirts containing the Ruth Strauss Foundation, as well as red numbers on their playing shirts and red caps.

Speaking to Sky News, Andrew Strauss said that he had been blown away by the support he has received since Ruth passed away.

“To see the level of support we have had so far has been mind blowing and I think on the day it’ll be even more so.

“It is a great way to remember Ruth with a bigger picture in mind. This is about raising awareness for rare forms of lung cancer and to provide support for people coming to terms with a terminal diagnosis.

“There have been some really strong steps forward in terms of treatment recently, but it is still a disease where most people are diagnosed at stage four and most people will die of it. We want to change that.

“For the players to jump both barrels in and get so involved is really special and humbling for me.”

Guy Lavender, MCC Chief Executive & Secretary, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Andrew and hosting the Ruth Strauss Foundation day.

“Andrew was a fantastic ambassador to both Middlesex and England, and I am sure everyone that comes to Lord’s or watches from home will be enormously supportive.”