The South African first-choice wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock pulled out of the second T20 World Cup, against West Indies, as the CSA board agreed to issue a directive that all players will have to take a knee before the matter, to show their solidarity with the BLM movement.
According to reports of Cricbuzz, the decision was taken on Monday and implemented on Tuesday caused the rift in the team and led to de Kock’s decision. It is believed that there have been tensions amid the players since the 25th of November last year when the team had come to an agreement that they will opt for three gestures to show their support for the fight for social justice. Quinton however from the very inception of the idea has been an exception to the rule. The team earlier had decided that the players can opt for any one of the three gestures: take a knee, raise a fist, or stand to attention. The wicketkeeper opted to follow neither of them as he stood with his hands casually behind his back, while his teammates adopted the gestures.
Earlier in a press release this year, when South Africa was touring Windies for a test series, Quinton quite blatantly refused to explain his inaction. “My reasons? I’ll keep it to myself. It’s my own, personal opinion. It’s everyone’s decision; no one’s forced to do anything, not in life. That’s the way I see things.”
Quinton de Kock has made himself unavailable due to personal reasons
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 26, 2021
According to reports by Cricbuzz, the management of the South African team told the players about the board’s decision five hours before the game. After which de Kock made himself unavailable citing “personal reasons.” Cricketers and commentators like Dinesh Karthik and Hasha Bhogle too shared their thought on it on Twitter.
I fear we haven't heard the last of the de Kock issue. I won't be surprised if we don't see him in a Protea shirt again.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 26, 2021
Quinton de Kock not playing because of his stand on BLM movement 😳#BlackLivesMatter #SAvsWI #worldT20 pic.twitter.com/LqC76QKCL3
— DK (@DineshKarthik) October 26, 2021
The game is very important for their team, considering that they’re taking on the defending champions after suffering a defeat at the hands of the Australian side in a low-scoring encounter.
