Rumours are swirling surrounding South African cricketer Quinton de Kock with a series of reports revealing what his protest is about.
The world is still waiting to hear from Quinton de Kock more than a day following his decision to stand down from South Africa’s game against the West Indies on Tuesday night.
It was reported on Thursday morning (AEDT) the South African Cricket Board is still in crisis talks with the former captain after his refusal to participate in a team-mandated protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The team had performed a disjointed display in their tournament opener against Australia with some players taking a knee and others standing.
It prompted South African cricket officials to make taking a knee mandatory for the team’s match with the West Indies. De Kock refused.
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Reports have now emerged de Kock’s protest of the protest was directed at the country’s governing body — Cricket South Africa — over the decision to make the global statement mandatory.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports there sections of the team that believe de Kock’s refusal was also motivated by the board’s decision to strip him of the captaincy across all three formats of the game earlier this year.
South African journalist Lungani Zama has also reported de Kock views the gesture as an act of tokenism.
On Wednesday night the team rejected speculation de Kock had left the team and said through a team spokesperson that he remains part of the team.
The spokesperson told cricket reporters the team was in the final steps of releasing a combined statement with de Kock and said the 28-year-old remains part of the team’s plan for their next game against Sri Lanka.
The Guardianreports ongoing crisis talks are the reason the statement has not yet been finalised.
The South African Cricketer’s Association on Thursday spoke out on de Kock’s behalf with SACA CEO Andrew Breetzke declaring CSA has caused a “crisis” with its move to make the protest mandatory.
“This issue should have been dealt with a while ago and not at an ICC event, where it is a crisis,” Breetzke said, according to ESPN Cricinfo.
De Kock said at the time he would remain silent on the reason for his withdrawal.
“I’ll keep my reasons (for not kneeling) to myself and it is my own personal opinion,” he said at the time.
“It is everyone’s decision and no one is forced to do something and that’s the way I see things.”
South Africa’s next game is against Sri Lanka on Saturday.
Reports have emerged in the aftermath of de Kock’s boycott that Australian Big Bash franchises have reached out to de Kock’s management to show interest in signing him for the 2021-22 BBL tournament.
South African skipper’s candid reaction
South African captain Temba Bavuma admitted his Proteas teammates were “surprised and taken aback” when de Kock refused to follow the team directive, but said he would be “standing behind whatever decision” the wicketkeeper makes.
“I think obviously as a team we’re obviously surprised and taken aback by the news,” he said.
“In saying that, Quinton is an adult. He’s a man in his own shoes. We respect his decision. We respect his convictions.
“From the team‘s point of view, unfortunately we still have to get the job done. There was still a game of cricket there for our country, and it was important, as much as everything was happening, that we found a way to get into the right mental space and take it home for our country.
“But as far as we stand, Quinton is still one of the players. He’s still one of the boys, so whatever support that he needs, whatever shoulder that he requires from his teammates, we’ll be there for him.
“If there’s a need for further conversations to be had, I’m sure those will definitely happen among the guys.”
Earlier this year, Bavuma was named the Proteas’ first black cricket captain.
West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard told reporters: “You guys know our thoughts on this matter. 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.”
Originally published as Real reason cricketer Quinton de Kock refused to take knee