Quinton kneels, says sorry

Dubai, October 28

South African cricketer Quinton de Kock has apologised for pulling out of Tuesday’s T20 World Cup win over West Indies after rejecting a Cricket South Africa (CSA) directive that players must “take a knee” in support of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement.

De Kock pulled out of the match against West Indies citing “personal reasons”, defying orders from CSA to their players on following the anti-racism gesture of kneeling on one knee before the match. CSA acted after pictures emerged from the team’s first match against Australia at the weekend which showed some players kneeling and some standing. De Kock had refused to take a knee in South Africa’s Test series in the West Indies earlier this year. De Kock has apologised, saying he would be “happy” to do it if it educates others.

In his statement released today, de Kock revealed he has mixed-race family and added he meant no disrespect and “would love nothing more than to play cricket for my country again”.

“I would like to start by saying sorry to my teammates, and the fans back home,” de Kock said in a statement. “I never ever wanted to make this a Quinton issue. I understand the importance of standing against racism, and I also understand the responsibility of us as players to set an example. If me taking a knee helps to educate others, and makes the lives of others better, I am more than happy to do so.”

De Kock explained he comes from a mixed race family, with his half-sisters being coloured while his stepmother is black. “For me, Black lives have mattered since I was born. Not just because there was an international movement,” said the 28-year-old.

“I was raised to understand that we all have rights, and they are important. I felt like my rights were taken away when I was told what we had to do in the way that we were told,” he said, adding his change of heart came after the players had a meeting with the CSA board on Wednesday evening.

CSA “noted” de Kock’s apology and said it had been accepted. “The Proteas men’s team has agreed to align and unify in taking the knee for the remaining fixtures of the World Cup,” CSA said in a statement. — Reuters