SOUTH AFRICA star Quinton de Kock pulled out of the match against West Indies today after he refused to take a knee.
De Kock, 28, made himself unavailable “for personal reasons” just hours after Cricket South Africa ordered all players to make the gesture against racism.
He could be risking his future as an international player.
CSA vowed to come up with a consistent stance on taking a knee because players had adopted different poses in previous matches.
Before their first game of the Twenty20 World Cup against Australia, some players stood with their arms behind their backs, some knelt and others raised a fist.
It was deemed particularly important to have an agreement among the players because of South Africa’s ugly history with apartheid.
A statement said: “The CSA Board unanimously agreed to issue a directive requiring all Proteas players to adopt a consistent and united stance against racism by ‘taking the knee’ prior to the start of their remaining World Cup matches.
“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.”
CSA later confirmed de Kock refused to take a knee.
A statement said: “CSA has noted the personal decision by South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock not to ‘take the knee’ ahead of the game against West Indies.
“All players had been required, in line with a directive of the CSA Board, to ‘take the knee’ in a united and consistent stance against racism.
“The Board’s view was that, while diversity can and should find expression in many facets of daily lives, this did not apply when it came to taking a stand against racism.
“The Board will await a further report from team management before deciding on the next steps. All players are expected to follow this directive for the remaining games of the World Cup.
“CSA thanks all other Proteas players for agreeing to unite and make such an important public stand against racism.”
The England and West Indies players took a knee before their World Cup opener on Saturday.
De Kock is a dynamic opening batsman and wicketkeeper who played for Southern Brave in the Hundred last summer.
He was replaced in the Proteas XI by Reeza Hendricks.
Commenting on De Kock pulling out of the clash, South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma said: “Quinny is out and Reeza is in.
“He (de Kock) has made himself unavailable for personal reasons.”
Following the news, Indian cricket star Dinesh Karthik tweeted: “Quinton de Kock not playing because of his stand on BLM movement.”
Meanwhile commentator and ex-Zimbabwe ace Pommie Mbangwa said on air: “Lack of support for the initiative essentially means lack of support for people of colour within the team, in South Africa and in the world as a whole.
“Excuse me if I sound political, but I can’t shed my skin.”
