South Africa head coach Mark Boucher has promised a “meaningful gesture” against racism when they lock horns with Sri Lanka in the first Test of the two-Test series at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Boxing Day, Friday (December 26).
In July 2020, all the players and other involved members in South Africa’s 3TC tournament had taken the knee to support the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, but the international stars refused to do so during the home series against England – which didn’t’ go down well with Proteas public.
However, CSA displayed a banner that read: “We stand in solidarity against racism and gender-based violence” at Newlands during two T20Is of the 3-match series against England.
Recently, Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) interim board has expressed its concern about the players’ public silence on the issue and lack of support from the players for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.
Following the statement released by the interim board, Boucher, who had earlier claimed that “we have done what we needed to do” against racism, said his players are prepared to make a “meaningful anti-racism gesture” after having “a lot of discussions” at the bio-bubble ahead of Sri Lanka Tests.
As per Cricbuzz, Boucher told an online press conference: “We appreciate the board isn't looking to compel the team into doing anything one way or the other, and that they are happy to allow the team to go through their process and come up with something meaningful to them. We are happy to engage further with them and what they would like to discuss at a more appropriate time.”
He concluded, “We've had a lot of discussions since we've come into the bubble about this, especially after the board statement. The guys have come up with a meaningful gesture and you will see that. That's something the players will share with everyone before the match day.”
(With Cricbuzz/ANI Inputs)
