World Cup T20 cricket: Taking the Knee
Update
South African player Quinton De Kock didnt appear for South Africa in Tuesday’s World Cup game after refusing to take a knee despite Cricket South Africa’s decision that players would do so. De Kock was reported as having personal reasons but has said nothing further. On Test Match Special,West Indian player Carlos Brathwaite noted that while personal reasons should be respected its difficult to see what the issue could be with participating in the most basic stand against racism
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59051327
Taking the Knee against racism remains a feature at the start of many football league matches in England and when the national sides play as well. It remains controversial with some. On the positive side some point out that it is a gesture that doesn’t really do anything much to challenge on-line racism and institutionalised racism. Indeed but the counter balance to that is how much it continues to annoy racists. They know it has a point and they don’t like it.
Across sport taking the knee has been patchy. When England played West Indies in the summer of 2020 and the Black Lives Matter movement returned in force, both sides took the knee. The West Indies still do but England stopped in favour of a moment of unity at the start of games. That was also controversial. Why start and then stop?
It was good to see then that when the West Indies (the holders)played England in the World Cup T20 both sides took the knee. When Scotland played Afghanistan they did the same.
Let’s hope that this time England continue doing so as the Ashes come into view.
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