ENGLAND and West Indies players took a knee in a show of solidarity before the start of the First Test.
Just as play was about to begin, the players on the field and the two umpires went down on one knee in a gesture that has become synonymous with racial equality.
The other players, reserves and support staff joined in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign from the edge of the boundary.
The whole of the Windies squad also wore a black glove on their right hands.
Shortly before, the players gathered in a circle and observed a minute’s silence to remember those who have died during the Covid-19 crisis and also legendary Windies batsman Sir Everton Weekes, who passed away last week.
Stand-in skipper Ben Stokes said before the game that taking a knee was an “opportunity to send a huge message” to the world about the iniquity of racial discrimination. He also spoke about trying to educate people about the need for equality.
Players from both teams had a Black Lives Matter logo on the collar of their shirts and a BLM banner was hanging in front of the West Indies dressing-room at the Ageas Bowl.
Stokes wanted to stress that wearing the logo and taking a knee did not mean the players endorsed some of the political statements of the Black Lives Matter movement.
While rain delayed the start until 2pm, Sky TV showed interviews with former Windies fast bowler Michael Holding and ex-England women’s batsmen Ebony Rainford-Brent who spoke powerfully about their experiences of suffering racism in cricket.
England opener Dom Sibley was bowled for a duck offering no shot to Shannon Gabriel in the second over of the match.
Rain interrupted play again after three overs with England 1-1.
