Cricket South Africa Directs Team To Collectively Take A Knee During T20 World Cup

Quinton de Kock has opted out of South Africa's match against West Indies in the T20 World Cup following a directive from the country's cricket board that said the team should unitedly 'take a knee' against racism. 

The board issued a statement after the South African squad was seen having different ways of presenting their stance for the BLM movement. While most of the players took the knee - including all colored players - some raised their fists and the rest stood in attention. 

However, De Kock did not observe any of the three positions. 

A National Team we are told!! pic.twitter.com/LpClR9ZyBz

— robertmarawa (@robertmarawa) October 26, 2021

CSA said: "Concerns were raised that the different postures taken by team members in support of the BLM initiative created an unintended perception of disparity or lack of support for the initiative."

"After considering all relevant issues, including the position of the players, the Board felt that it was imperative for the team to be seen taking a united and consistent stand against racism, especially given SA's history. Several other teams at the World Cup have adopted a consistent stance against the issue, and the Board felt it is time for all SA players to do the same," the statement read. 

So far in the World Cup, England, West Indies, India, and Scotland have taken a knee, while Pakistan held their hands to their hearts. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh did not make any gestures for the movement during their match.