South African Quinton De Kock withdraws from team citing personal reasons after refusing to take the knee following CSA’s diktat ahead of their clash against WI
Quinton De Kock. Pic/AFP
Quinton de Kock on Tuesday withdrew from South Africa’s Twenty20 World Cup match against the West Indies “for personal reasons” after refusing to take the knee.
Skipper Temba Bavuma said the wicketkeeper-batsman, a former national captain, had made himself unavailable in their crucial Super 12 game in Dubai. The decision raised eyebrows as De Kock, 28, had previously refused to take part in the anti-racism gesture that has become a regular feature in most sporting events.
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CSA take note
“Cricket South Africa (CSA) has noted the personal decision by South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock not to take the knee ahead of Tuesday’s game against the West Indies,” said a CSA statement.
“The Board will await a further report from team management before deciding on the next steps. All players are expected to follow this directive [to take the knee] for the remaining games of the World Cup.”
Earlier, the CSA said “concerns were raised that the different postures taken by team members in support of the BLM (Black Lives Matter) 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.”
De Kock refused to take a knee in South Africa’s Test series in the West Indies earlier this year.
‘No one can force it’
“My reason? I’ll keep it to myself. It’s my own, personal opinion,” he said at the time. “It’s everyone’s decision. No-one’s forced to do anything, not in life. That’s the way I see things.”
Eoin Morgan’s England took the knee along with the West Indies on Day One of the ongoing World Cup and India and Pakistan followed in their key clash on Sunday. The South Africans playing in Tuesday’s game took the knee before the start of the game.
“A commitment to overcoming racism is the glue that should unite, bind and strengthen us,” CSA board chairperson Lawson Naidoo said. “Race should not be manipulated to amplify our weaknesses. Diversity can and should find expression in many facets of our daily lives, but not when it comes to taking a stand against racism.”
When South Africa played the West Indies in June, only six of the 11 players in the starting line-up took a knee.
Team is united: Ngidi
Others, including captain Dean Elgar, stood with right fists raised. De Kock stood with his hands behind his back. However, black fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, who played in that game, insisted the team remained united. “In terms of the team, there is no division at all. We play for South Africa.”
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