Roy: Knee integral to England
➤ Opener reveals commitment to gesture after team’s victory ➤ De Kock’s refusal against West Indies sparks fierce debate
England players last night described how taking the knee had become “integral” to their cricket as divisions grew over Quinton de Kock’s refusal to observe the anti-racism gesture.
Opener Jason Roy said kneeling reflected the team’s commitment to tackling racism, as both England and Bangladesh agreed to promote the anti-discrimination message before yesterday’s T20 World Cup match in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking about the decision to take the knee after striking a matchwinning 61 in England’s eightwicket victory, Roy said: “It’s an integral part of the way we play our cricket.
“Our team is extremely diverse with people from all over the world. It’s only right that we support that and we support what they are going through.”
Previously, England have indicated they would reciprocate any gesture preferred by their opponents, but it now seems increasingly likely the team will continue to take the knee in coming matches.
Australia, their next opponents, also kneel before matches, and David Warner confirmed the gesture would be observed for today’s match with Sri Lanka. Divisions intensified yesterday over taking the knee, as former players voiced their views on De Kock’s decision to pull out of South Africa’s match with the West Indies after the entire team were ordered to support the gesture. De Kock has remained in the South Africa camp, but his immediate international future remained unclear last night following fresh talks with Cricket South Africa. The board said it was awaiting a report from the team management before deciding on taking any action. The board has mandated players to take the knee before all T20 World Cup matches as part of a “consistent stance” against racism.
In a statement, the board said De Kock remained “very much a part of the Proteas team and has not been sent home as some reports have incorrectly stated”.
The South African Cricketers’ Association yesterday accused Cricket South Africa of causing a “crisis” by instructing players to accept its directive.
Andrew Breetzke, the chief executive of the association, advocated a “uniform approach” to taking a knee, but said making it mandatory hours before the West Indies caused a “crisis” in the side.
As De Kock and the board consider their next moves, the predicament continued to attract fierce debate. Former Cricket Australia
and International Cricket Council chief Malcolm Speed said Cricket South Africa’s mandate was a “step too far” as it emerged at least one club from the Australian Big Bash League had signalled their interest in signing De Kock.
Adam Gilchrist, the former Australia Test wicketkeeper, said: “It seems Quinton de Kock is very active in being pro-black Lives Matter, and supporting people of colour within that country. I think the gesture, if it’s going to help people move forward and heal, and create a stronger future, is probably worth doing.
“For Quinton, it’s about being told he has to do something when he doesn’t necessarily feel he needs to do it, that it’s become a bit tokenistic,” Gilchrist said.
Former England fast bowler Angus Fraser, now managing director of Middlesex, said that the situation was complex.
“It’s a difficult one. Because of apartheid people assume it’s racially motivated. I think it’s very difficult to impose that on an individual,” Fraser said.
But other players criticised De Kock’s actions.
Isa Guha, the former England fast bowler, who is now a leading commentator, said: “Are you against racism? Is there a collective way of showing this? The teams should be unified in this approach. If you are defiant in your actions then there need to be repercussions.”
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, who was jailed following a spot-fixing scandal, said: “His decision will not unite people but will only create a further divide. I really don’t know why he did this.”