{"id":151965,"date":"2021-10-30T10:40:22","date_gmt":"2021-10-30T10:40:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=151965"},"modified":"2021-10-30T11:56:50","modified_gmt":"2021-10-30T11:56:50","slug":"polarising-stars-incredible-anti-racism-backflip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=151965","title":{"rendered":"Polarising star's incredible anti-racism backflip"},"content":{"rendered":"

Quinton de Kock<\/a> has returned to South Africa<\/a>'s T20 World Cup<\/a> XI and taken a knee ahead of his side's match against Sri Lanka<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The wicketkeeper-batter became a subject of raging debate when he withdrew from a clash with the West Indies on Tuesday<\/a>, following a directive from Cricket South Africa for all players to take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But de Kock has returned for South Africa in Sharjah in substitution for Heinrich Klaasen.<\/p>\n

"Good to see de Kock (back playing), good to see South Africa moving on very quickly," said former Zimbabwe fast bowler Pommie Mbangwa on Fox Cricket's coverage.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma addressed the issue at the toss.<\/p>\n

"We've obviously had some time to get over everything that's been happening," Bavuma said.<\/p>\n

"Quinton is in a much better state.<\/p>\n

"As a team we are ready for the game today."<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Cricket great Alan Davidson dies at 92<\/a><\/p>\n

De Kock explained the reason for his withdrawal from the West Indies<\/a> game in a statement released on Thursday<\/a>.<\/p>\n

"I would like to start by saying sorry to my teammates and the fans back home," de Kock wrote.<\/p>\n

"I never ever wanted to make this a Quinton issue.<\/p>\n

\"Star<\/p>\n

"I understand the importance of standing against racism, and I also understand the responsibility of us as players to set an example.<\/p>\n

"If me taking a knee helps to educate others, and makes the lives of others better, I am more than happy to do so.<\/p>\n

"I did not, in any way, mean to disrespect anyone by not playing against West Indies, especially the West Indian team themselves.<\/p>\n

"Maybe some people don't understand that we were just hit with this on Tuesday morning, on the way to a game.<\/p>\n

"I am deeply sorry for all the hurt, confusion and anger that I have caused.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Brutal takedown halts Khawaja's hot Ashes bid<\/a><\/p>\n

"I was quiet on this very important issue until now, but I feel I have to explain myself a little bit.<\/p>\n

\"De<\/p>\n

"For those who don't know, I come from a mixed-race family. My half-sisters are coloured and my step mum is black. For me, black lives have mattered since I was born – not just because there was an international movement.<\/p>\n

"The rights and equality of all people are more important than any individual.<\/p>\n

"I was raised to understand that we all have rights and they are important.<\/p>\n

"I felt like my rights were taken away when I was told what we had to do in the way that we were told.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

"Since our chat with the board last night, which was very emotional, I think we all have a better understanding of their intentions as well. I wish this had happened sooner, because what happened on match day could have been avoided.<\/p>\n

"I know I have an example to set. We were previously told we had the choice to do what we felt we wanted to do.<\/p>\n

"I chose to keep my thoughts to myself and thought of the pride of playing for my family and my country.<\/p>\n

"I didn't understand why I had to prove it with a gesture when I live and learn and love people from all walks of life every day. When you are told what to do, with no discussion, I felt like it takes away the meaning. If I was racist, I could easily have taken the knee and lied, which is wrong and doesn't build a better society.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> UFC star accused of 'cheating' in weigh-in drama<\/a><\/p>\n

"Those who have grown up with me and played with me know what type of person I am.<\/p>\n

"I've been called a lot of things as a cricketer: doff, stupid, selfish, immature. But those didn't hurt. Being called a racist because of a misunderstanding hurts me deeply.<\/p>\n

"It hurts my family, it hurts my pregnant wife.<\/p>\n

"I am not a racist. In my heart of hearts, I know that. And I think those who know me know that.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/bhogleharsha\/status\/1454388977499320323<\/a><\/p>\n

"I know I'm not great with words, but I've tried my best to explain how truly sorry I am for making like this is about me. It is not.<\/p>\n

"I won't lie: I was shocked that we were told on the way to an important match that there was an instruction that we had to follow, with a perceived 'or else'. I don't think I was the only one.<\/p>\n

"We had camps. We had sessions. We had zoom meetings. We know where we all stand. And that is together.<\/p>\n

"I love every one of my teammates, and I love nothing more than playing cricket for South Africa.<\/p>\n

"I think it would have been better for everyone concerned if we had sorted this out before the tournament started.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

"Then we could have focused on our job: to win cricket matches for our country.<\/p>\n

"There always seems to be a drama when we go to World Cups. That isn't fair.<\/p>\n

"I just want to thank my teammates for their support, especially my captain, Temba (Bavuma). People might not recognise, but he is a flipping amazing leader.<\/p>\n

"If he and the team, and South Africa, will have me, I would love nothing more than to play cricket for my country again."<\/p>\n

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Quinton de Kock has returned to South Africa's T20 World Cup XI and taken a knee ahead of his side's match against Sri Lanka. The […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151965"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=151965"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151965\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":151967,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151965\/revisions\/151967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=151965"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=151965"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=151965"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}