A South African cricket withdrew from a World Cup match against the West Indies after players were ordered to kneel before the game.
Star South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock pulled out his side’s T20 cricket World Cup match against the West Indies after refusing to “take the knee” as part of a gesture calling for racial equality.
De Kock’s absence was a big blow as Proteas captain Temba Bavuma revealed at the toss it was due to “personal reasons”.
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It didn’t hamper South Africa as they thrashed the Windies by eight wickets, reaching their target of 144 with eight balls to spare — but the result was overshadowed by de Kock’s call.
After his withdrawal was confirmed, the rumour mill immediately went into overdrive the 28-year-old, who has chosen not to take a knee in the past, stood himself down due to Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) board issuing a directive to the national team for all players to kneel before the team’s remaining T20 World Cup matches.
CSA revealed “the personal decision by South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock not to ‘take the knee’” ahead of Tuesday’s game against the West Indies was behind his withdrawal.
“All players had been required, in line with a directive of the CSA Board on Monday evening, to ‘take the knee’ in a united and consistent stance against racism,” CSA’s statement said.
“This is also the global gesture against racism that has been adopted by sportspeople across sporting codes because they recognise the power of sport to bring people together.
“After considering all relevant issues, including the freedom of choice of players, the Board had made it clear it was imperative for the team to be seen taking a stand against racism, especially given SA’s history. The Board’s view was that while diversity can and should find expression in many facets of daily lives, this did not apply when it came to taking a stand against racism.
“The Board will await a further report from team management before deciding on the next steps. All players are expected to follow this directive for the remaining games of the World Cup.
“CSA thanks all other Proteas players for agreeing to unite and make such an important public stand against racism.”
Before the first match of the World Cup against Australia, South African players were seen making various gestures. Some knelt and raised a fist, some stood with a raised fist and others stood at attention — the three options give to South African players as of November last year.
The Australian men’s cricket team took a knee in support of the BLM movement for the first time in July, during a white-ball series against the West Indies.
De Kock has previously refused to speak on the issue.
After hitting 141 not out against the West Indies in a Test match in June, de Kock said: “I’ll keep my reasons to myself and it is my own personal opinion.
“It is everyone’s decision and no one is forced to do something and that’s the way I see things.”
Fans were quick to react to the news of de Kock’s withdrawal with many believing it was bound to be regarding the kneeling directive.
Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle tweeted: “I fear we haven’t heard the last of the de Kock issue. I won’t be surprised if we don’t see him in a Protea shirt again.”
‘I can’t shed my skin’: Commentators react
In the commentary box, former Zimbabwean cricket Pommie Mbangwa and ex-West Indies captain Darren Sammy spoke on the issue.
“Excuse me if I sound political because some will say it’s political, but I can’t shed my skin,” Mbangwa said. “I hope that the discussion at the very least can be about how to be united about something that everyone agrees on. This is also the hope that there is agreement in that regard.”
Sammy added: “Sometimes I don’t understand why is it so difficult to support this movement if you understand what it stands for. That’s just my opinion what my kind have been through. There are a lot of issue affecting the world but I don’t understand why it’s so difficult.”
Mbangwa added “freedom of choice is far enough” and he “didn’t want to speculate on what the personal reasons exactly are because I haven’t got those but I hope the discussion can actually be had”.
South Africa, West Indies captains weigh in
South African skipper Bavuma faced plenty of questions about de Kock in the post-match press conference.
“We were obviously surprised and taken aback by the news,” Bavuma said. “Obviously Quinton is a big player for the team, not just with the bat, but the role he plays from a senior point of view and not having that at my disposal as a captain was obviously something I wasn’t looking forward to.
Bavuma, who earlier this year became the first black captain of South Africa after replacing de Kock in the white-ball format, revealed he came to know of his teammate’s decision on the bus ride to Dubai.
But Bavuma said he still respects the stand of his senior player.
“The instruction from the board (to take the knee) came in this morning. A meeting was convened between a couple of members, and that’s where that message was passed on to us,” said Bavuma.
“I think the trip (to the stadium) was about an hour and a half to two hours. In that trip I guess that’s where Quinton made his decision. We found out — I found out as the captain when we got to the changing room.
“Quinton is an adult. He’s a man in his own shoes. We respect his decision. We respect his convictions. I know that he’ll be standing behind whatever decision that he’s taken.
“From the team’s point of view, unfortunately we still have to get the job done. There was still a game of cricket there for our country, and it was important, as much as everything was happening, that we found a way to get into the right mental space and take it home for our country.”
West Indies captain Kieron Pollard said “education is key” in the anti-racism movement but refused to get into the debate about de Kock’s controversial withdrawal.
“You guys know our thoughts on this matter. It’s something that we feel strongly about as a team and as a people, as well, and we will continue to do it,” Pollard said on taking the knee ahead of every game.
“Each and everyone has their own opinions on it, but as I’ve always said, once you’re educated and you understand, we will understand you doing it, but I think education sort of is the key, and we don’t want anyone doing it for us in solitude or to feel sorry for us.”
With AFP
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