South Africa "taken aback" by Quinton de Kock withdrawal, admits Temba Bavuma

De Kock made himself unavailable for selection in the Proteas' win over West Indies after Cricket South Africa issued a directive to players to take the knee before all games at the T20 World Cup

The Cricketer | 26/10/2021 at 18:12

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has admitted that his side was “obviously surprised and taken aback” by Quinton de Kock’s decision to make himself unavailable for selection for the Proteas’ victory over West Indies after Cricket South Africa issued a directive to players to take the knee before all games at the T20 World Cup.

A statement released by the national governing body explained that “concerns were raised that the different postures taken by team members in support of the Black Lives Matter initiative created an unintended perception of disparity or lack of support for the initiative”.

It continued: “After considering all relevant issues, including the position of the players, the board felt that it was imperative for the team to be seen taking a united and consistent stand against racism, especially given SA’s history.”

The mandate came after the team received criticism for the different stances taken by players ahead of their T20 World Cup opener against Australia.

However, de Kock – the wicketkeeper and key batter in South Africa’s T20 side – made the “personal decision” to refuse, opting out of his country’s must-win game in the process.

In his absence, Heinrich Klaasen kept wicket, while Reeza Hendricks came in as a replacement at the top of the order, making 39 off 30 balls, which helped to set the platform for an eight-wicket win over the much-fancied reigning champions.

In one of two statements released by Cricket South Africa during a turbulent day, the board declared that it would wait for a report from team management before deciding on its next steps, adding that “all players are expected to follow this directive for the remaining games of the World Cup”.

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^{Temba Bavuma became aware of Quinton de Kock's decision when the team arrived at the ground in Dubai}

Bavuma, who is South Africa’s first black cricket captain, said: “I think as a team we’re obviously surprised and taken aback by the news. Quinton is a big player for the team, not just with the bat, but the role he plays from a senior point of view and from an experience point of view, and not having that at my disposal as a captain was obviously something I wasn’t looking forward to.

“In saying that, Quinton is an adult. He’s a man in his own shoes. We respect his decision. We respect his convictions. I know that he’ll be standing behind whatever decision that he’s taken.

“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.

“I don’t know how far it’s going to develop. It wouldn’t be my decision whether to replace Quinton or to get a substitute. That would be probably the coach and the selectors.

“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.”

De Kock pulled out of South Africa’s 3TC tournament last July, in which he was due to captain, for “unforeseen personal circumstances” shortly after it was announced by organisers that the event would support the Black Lives Matter movement. In his absence, players, support staff and officials took the knee.

While others have previously adopted various gestures, de Kock has stood with his hands behind his back. Earlier this year, he said of his stance: “My reason? I’ll keep it to myself. It’s my own, personal opinion. It’s everyone's decision; no one’s forced to do anything, not in life. That’s the way I see things.”

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^{South Africa beat West Indies by eight wickets despite a turbulent day}

Bavuma was made aware of de Kock’s decision only when he arrived in the changing room at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium ahead of play, with Cricket South Africa’s message having been passed onto the players shortly before taking the two-hour bus journey to the ground. Bavuma said of the timing of the directive: “It definitely wasn’t ideal.”

He added: “I don’t think it’s as simple as just taking a knee. I think we have to appreciate the fact that we live in a country like South Africa that has its own past that is diverse, diverse in its views, diverse in the way people see things, their backgrounds. Decisions that we take, things that we support, are based on our own convictions.

“As much as we’re a team, we wear the same shirt, we play for the badge, but outside of that, we still live our own lives, and those lives are different by the very nature that we live in South Africa.

“I think for me, over the last while, I’ve learned to, I guess, appreciate that a lot more, try to widen your own perspective as an individual and not expect people to kind of see things the way that you see things. My beliefs, the way that I see things is shaped by my own experiences, my own background, and so is the other person’s.

“I guess if there is a disagreement in terms of beliefs, in terms of views, that’s why we have conversations. That’s why we have those hard conversations.

“I think through those conversations you’ll be able to get the comfort or the ability to accept the other person’s decision. I can't force anyone to see things the way that I do. Neither can they force me.”

Cricket South Africa instruct players to take knee ahead of T20 World Cup matches