Cricket South Africa board instructs Proteas players to take a knee before T20 World Cup matches

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Cricket South Africa has agreed to “take a united stand against racism”; A statement added: “Concerns were expressed that the different positions taken by team members in support of the BLM initiative created an inadvertent perception of disparity or lack of support for the initiative.”

Only a few of South Africa’s players knelt before their T20 World Cup match with Australia on Saturday.

South African players have been told to kneel before the start of the remaining matches of the T20 World Cup.

The Proteas, who play the West Indies in their Group 1 match on Tuesday, were photographed taking different stances before their loss to Australia on Saturday.

The Cricket South Africa (CSA) board of directors unanimously agreed on Monday to “take a coherent and united stance against racism.”

CSA said in a statement: “Concerns were expressed that the different positions taken by team members in support of the BLM initiative created an inadvertent perception of disparity or lack of support for the initiative.

“After considering all relevant issues, including the position of the players, the Board felt that it was imperative that the team be seen taking a united and consistent position against racism, especially given the history of SA.”

CSA Board Chairman Lawson Naidoo added: “The commitment to overcome racism is the glue that should bind, unite and strengthen us.

“Race should not be manipulated to amplify our weaknesses. Diversity can and should find expression in many facets of our daily lives, but not when it comes to taking a stand against racism.

“South Africans recently joined people from around the world to celebrate the 90th anniversary of our revered Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

“What better tribute from the Protea to an icon of South Africa’s freedom struggle than to show that we are working to fulfill their vision of a united South Africa.”

South Africa made a switch to the West Indies match since Australia’s defeat, with Reeza Hendricks replacing Quinton de Kock, who according to CSA was “unavailable for personal reasons.”

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