South Africa’s opener Quinton de Kock has apologized for his earlier denial to take a knee clarifying that he is “not a racist”.
The wicketkeeper-batsman intentionally missed the T20 World Cup win against West Indies because he did not want to make the knee-bend gesture.
De Kock said, “I would like to start by saying sorry to my teammates, and the fans back home. If me taking a knee helps to educate others, and makes the lives of others better, I am more than happy to do so.”
Earlier in their T20 World Cup opener, some South African players, with some exceptions, took a knee before the defeat by Australia in which De Kock scored seven.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) afterward issued a directive shortly before the match on Tuesday against West Indies that all players ought to take a knee.
De Kock added, “I did not, in any way, mean to disrespect anyone by not playing against West Indies, especially the West Indian team themselves.”
He said, “Maybe some people don’t understand that we were just hit with this on Tuesday morning, on the way to a game. I am deeply sorry for all the hurt, confusion, and anger that I have caused.”
The Wicketkeeper said that he had been called a lot of things as a cricketer. But those had not hurt. However, being called a racist because of a misunderstanding hurt him deeply.
The left-handed batsman said, “It hurts my family. It hurts my pregnant wife. I am not a racist. In my heart of hearts, I know that. And I think those who know me know that.”
“Black lives matter for me”
De Kock has previously declined to take a knee and, while he said he had been “quiet on this very important issue until now”, he felt the need to “explain myself a little bit”.
In a statement from CSA on behalf of De Kock, he said he came from a dual-heritage family and that his stepmother is black.
De Kock added, “For me, black lives have mattered since I was born. Not just because there was an international movement.”
“The rights and equality of all people is more important than any individual. I was raised to understand that we all have rights, and they are important. I felt like my rights were taken away when I was told what we had to do in the way that we were told.”
De Kock added, “I think it would of been better for everyone concerned if we had sorted this out before the tournament started. Then we could have focused on our job, to win cricket matches for our country. There always seems to be a drama when we go to World Cups. That isn’t fair.”
Proteas men’s will meet Sri Lanka in the upcoming fixture on Saturday, 30 October and De Kock said that he “would love nothing more than to play cricket for my country again” if captain Temba Bavuma, who he called an “amazing leader”, and the team “will have me”.
CSA’s emotional meeting with the team
The CSA spoke with the team and management of its men’s team on Wednesday at what De Kock called an “emotional” meeting.
In a statement, CSA acknowledging De Kock’s statement said, “Following the meeting, the South African team agreed to align and unify in taking the knee for the remaining fixtures of the World Cup campaign.”
CSA added, “Cricket South Africa welcomes all of these developments. They confirm Cricket South Africa’s commitment to non-racism. Taking a united stance against racism is a moral issue, not a political issue. The CSA board regrets that the timing of its directive earlier this week may have been unsettling for the players in the lead-up to the match against the West Indies.”
