Ahead of the white-ball series opener on Friday (November 27) against England, South African players have on Wednesday (November 25) confirmed that they wouldn’t take a knee during the home series
Kneeling down or taking the knee is a gesture to support the ongoing global Black Lives Matter movement against racism.
As South Africa return to international cricket after a seven-month coronavirus-induced shutdown when they lock horns against England in the first T20I in Cape Town on Friday, many South Africans believe the team should show public support for the BLM movement by taking a knee before each match.
England led by Eoin Morgan has already confirmed that they will not kneel during the six-match limited-overs series in South Africa and now the hosts also followed the suit amid the media criticism over the decision.
But the Proteas players have unanimously chosen not to take the knee at the upcoming matches, although, they will continue to work together to dismantle racism.
Players have conveyed their message in a statement, “Over the last six months, the Proteas team has engaged with honesty, empathy, and vulnerability in exploring together what anti-racism work looks like and why this work matters so profoundly in this cultural moment.”
The statement further reads: “As a team, we have unanimously chosen not to take the knee at the upcoming matches, but to continue to work together in our personal, team and public spaces to dismantle racism. This decision was taken by the team collectively, after deep dialogue and attentive consideration. This is not a decision compelled on us by either our management or our coaches.”
It concluded, “We respect the right of the media to hold the team accountable as citizens. We ask though that in doing so the media does not threaten the journey we have embarked on, the trust we have built, and the work we are doing by sowing contention around our decision.”
Noteworthy, England had supported the movement during their home series against West Indies and New Zealand is likely to do the same in their upcoming series against the same opponents.
(With AFP Inputs)
