Quinton de Kock controversy: Who’s saying what
The Proteas star refused to 'take the knee' ahead of his team's T20 World Cup game against the West Indies.
Proteas batsman Quinton de Kock has agreed to take a knee in support of Black Lives Matter. Picture: Gallo Images
Who’s saying what after South Africa cricketer Quinton de Kock withdrew from his team’s match against the West Indies at the T20 World Cup on Tuesday after refusing to follow a directive forcing all players to take a knee:
Cricket South Africa statement:
“Cricket South Africa has noted the personal decision by South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock not to take the knee ahead of Tuesday’s game against the West Indies. The Board will await a further report from team management before deciding on the next steps. All players are expected to follow this directive (to take the knee) for the remaining games of the World Cup.”
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma:
“Quinton is an adult. He’s a man in his own shoes. We respect his decision. We respect his convictions. I don’t know how far it’s going to develop. It wouldn’t be my decision whether to replace Quinton or to get a substitute.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan on Twitter:
“Surely it’s down to the individual to decide whether he or she wants to be involved in any movement. A cricket board should request players to do it but if that individual decides they don’t want to it should not stop them playing the game of cricket.”
West Indies captain Kieron Pollard on his team taking the knee:
“You guys know our thoughts on this matter. It’s something that we feel strongly about as a team and as a people, as well, and we will continue to do it. I think education is the key, and we don’t want anyone doing it for us in solitude or to feel sorry for us.”
West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite to the BBC:
“I know Quinton de Kock quite well and I have never felt any bad blood or bad vibe from him. I’m not an advocate of forcing anyone to do something that they don’t want to do. But I also understand where Cricket South Africa is coming from, this is a watershed moment for the Black Lives Matter movement.”
England’s Jos Buttler:
“Our position as a team is we stand against any form of discrimination. What we’d like to do as a team is a moment of unity which we did at times during our summer. We wanted to reciprocate the opposition, the West Indies like to take a knee so we wanted to reciprocate that in the first game.”
