Why Quinton de Kock did not play: Cricket South Africa releases official statement

Quinton de Kock is not playing the T20 World Cup game against West Indies due to personal reasons, and the reasons are now official. The news came just hours after Cricket South Africa released a statement saying that all players should take the knee ahead of the game. Quinton De Kock was one of a number of South African players who had not been taking the knee ahead of recent internationals, including the team’s tournament-opener against Australia, with some players kneeling, some raising a fist and some standing.

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

The inconsistencies with the way players have been acknowledging a stance against racism was one of the reasons CSA issued the clear directive to its team.

IT’S A PERSONAL PROBLEM FOR QUINTON DE KOCK

A statement from Cricket South Africa confirmed that De Kock’s absence was related to the issue.

“Cricket South Africa (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,” the statement read.

“All players had been required, in line with a directive of the CSA Board on Monday evening, to “take the knee” in a united and consistent stance against racism,” Cricket SA continued. “This is also the global gesture against racism that has been adopted by sportspeople across sporting codes because they recognise the power of sport to bring people together.

“After considering all relevant issues, including the freedom of choice of players, the Board had made it clear it was imperative for the team to be seen taking a stand against racism, especially given SA’s history. The Board’s view was that while diversity can and should find expression in many facets of daily lives, this did not apply when it came to taking a stand against racism.

“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.

“CSA thanks all other Proteas players for agreeing to unite and make such an important public stand against racism.”

And an ICC spokesperson said: “After some teams expressed the desire to make a gesture against racism, the ICC offered all teams the opportunity to do so if they wished.”

All South African players who took the field for the game against West Indies did take the knee, a move that was discussed on broadcast commentary by Pommie Mbangwa and Daren Sammy.

Quinton de Kock not playing because of his stand on BLM movement ?#BlackLivesMatter #SAvsWI #worldT20 pic.twitter.com/LqC76QKCL3

— DK (@DineshKarthik) October 26, 2021

“United against racism, and they take the knee in support of that cause. And for the first time all together the South Africans, because of this directive that has come from the board,” Mbangwa said.

And former West Indies World Cup-winning captain Sammy replied: “That’s interesting. Always my mother would say, you’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything. It’s good to see players united on something that has affected so many people across the world.”

The International future of Quinton de Kock is now uncertain.