The cricket community has reacted with disbelief at Quinton de Kock’s decision to stand himself down from South Africa’s T20 World Cup match against the West Indies.
The wicketkeeper-batter withdrew from the match, following a directive from Cricket South Africa requiring all players to take a knee prior to the game.
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The 28-year-old is yet to speak publicly about the matter, but his captain, Temba Bavuma conceded the team had been blindsided by the decision, admitting he wasn’t sure if de Kock would take any further part in the tournament.
“As a team we are obviously surprised and taken aback by the news,” Bavuma said after South Africa’s win over the West Indies.
“Quinton is an adult. He’s a man in his own shoes. We respect his decision. We respect his convictions. I know he will be standing behind whatever decision he has taken.
“I don’t know how it’s going to develop. It wouldn’t be my decision whether to replace Quinton or get a substitute.”
The issue first came to a head during the Proteas’ opening match of the tournament against Australia, when some players knelt with a fist in the air, others stood with a fist in the air, while some stood with hands behind their back.
https://twitter.com/CaribCricket/status/1452942709757517824
While de Kock apparently isn’t comfortable taking a knee before a match, a West Indian cricket podcast has pointed out that he had no issue with symbolism of a different kind.
After making a century in the first Test against the West Indies in St Lucia earlier this year, de Kock made a hand gesture to dedicate the innings to a friend who lost his finger in Afghanistan, as well as promoting the name of an organisation on his bat that works towards conservation of rhinos.
“He clearly draws the line at anti-racism solidarity,” the podcast tweeted, along with a picture of de Kock making the gesture.
“You lot dress it up how you want.”
Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has also weighed in, suggesting the players should be free to make their own decisions, without interference from Cricket South Africa.
“Surely it’s down to the individual to decide whether he or she wants to be involved in any movement,” he tweeted.
“A cricket board should request players to do it but if that individual decides they don’t want too it should not stop them playing the game of cricket.”
https://twitter.com/MichaelVaughan/status/1452967410298990600
Vaughan’s view is supported by former England batsman, Allan Lamb, who was born in South Africa.
“It’s up to every individual, and I think Quinton has the right to do what he wants,” Lamb told GB News.
“If someone doesn’t want to do it, then we’ve got to accept that.”
Leading commentator Harsha Bhogle has raised the possibility that de Kock may not play international cricket again, a scenario that’s not out of the question given the riches on offer on the T20 circuit for a player of his calibre.
“I fear we haven’t heard the last of the de Kock issue,” Bhogle tweeted.
“I won’t be surprised if we don’t see him in a Protea shirt again.”
https://twitter.com/bhogleharsha/status/1452945240076087300
West Indian captain Kieron Pollard, a teammate of de Kock at the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, said the matter was straightforward for his team.
“You guys know our thoughts on this matter,” he explained.
“It’s something that we feel strongly about as a team and as people as well and we will continue to do it.
“Each and everyone has their own opinions on it, but as I’ve always said, once you’re educated and you understand, we will understand why you are doing it, but I think education sort of is the key, and we don’t want anyone doing it for us in solitude or to feel sorry for us.”
But Pollard refused to be drawn on whether de Kock’s stance would affect his relationship with the South African.
“I don’t know the truth and fact of the actual matter,” he said.
“I can’t just take that and have an answer or speculation in terms of relationship and all that. That’s getting too deep at this present time.
“Yes, he has been my teammate in Mumbai Indians, we have played cricket together. That’s where the buck stops in terms of everything else. Everything else is speculation. Let’s see what happens after. Let me have an opportunity to digest.”
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