Dubai, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Quinton de Kock withdrew from South Africa’s Twenty20 World Cup match against the West Indies yesterday after refusing to take the knee, a decision which highlighted once again cricket’s struggles to emerge from its troubled past in the country.
Temba Bavuma, South Africa’s first black African captain, said wicketkeeper-batsman De Kock, a former national captain, had made himself unavailable “for personal reasons”.
The 28-year-old’s shock decision came just hours after Cricket South Africa (CSA) had ordered all players at the tournament to take part in the anti-racism gesture.
“CSA 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,” said a CSA statement.
“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.”
After South Africa had won the match by eight wickets, Bavuma admitted there will now be question marks over De Kock’s future in the team.
“Quinton is an adult. He’s a man in his own shoes. We respect his decision. We respect his convictions,” said Bavuma.