WE GOT IT WRONG
Aussies regret in not taking the knee
Justin Langer has admitted australia got it wrong in not taking a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter message on their return to cricket for their white-ball matches against england.
Fast bowling great Michael Holding criticised the aussies along with england and Pakistan for dropping the gesture before matches as soon as West indies went home from their 2-1 test defeat here.
and australia coach Langer said ahead of today’s deciding one-day international at emirates Old trafford that Holding was right and his side should have shown solidarity with the movement in their first internationals since the death of george Floyd in america.
‘We could have talked about it more leading up to that first game,’ said one of australia’s great former opening batsmen. ‘there was so much going on leading to us getting here but we should have thought about it more.
‘Michael Holding is one of the great people of world sport, certainly of our game, and i have got great admiration and love for him. We all watched his heartfelt thoughts at the start of the summer and when he says things it’s important we all listen.’
Langer says both australia’s men’s and women’s teams have discussed ways in which they can make a sustained difference in diversity and inclusion and did not mean any disrespect by not following the example of england and West indies in taking a knee.
‘there is a lot of talk in our group about how we can make a powerful response,’ added Langer. ‘it’s incredibly important and if it looked from Mikey’s point of view that we didn’t show respect, i can only say that wasn’t our intention. We are very aware of it.’
even though Langer has admitted australia’s regret, there are no plans for both them and england to correct their mistake and take a knee before today’s final one-day international.
Jofra archer insisted on Monday that Holding had got it wrong and nobody had forgotten about Black Lives Matter. Sportsmail understands england’s players are working on plans to make a longer term difference.
at least a blighted summer that may have proved the ruination of english cricket has been rescued by an international season that ends perfectly today with a 50-over decider between england and australia. there has, of course, been considerable damage to the game from the pandemic and yesterday’s warning from eCB chief executive tom Harrison that losses could still reach £200million provides a sobering backdrop to an enticing emirates Old trafford finale.
But how much worse it would have been had West indies, men and women, Pakistan and australia not put their faith in the brilliantly organised, hyper-strict biosecure bubbles in Manchester and southampton provided by steve elworthy and his team. ‘at one point it didn’t look as though a ball would be bowled this summer,’ said Chris Woakes yesterday. ‘so credit to everyone involved for making it happen. to be away from families and friends in this environment has been tough at times, but the players have pulled together and played some very good cricket.
‘When the team are winning and you’re performing well, the bubble can be brilliant. But when you have had a bad day it can be hard to get away from.’