Aaron Finch will speak to Jason Holder about how his side can support the anti-racism movement
The Australians were criticised for not taking a knee in England last year. Now they must decide again how far to go in supporting the push to end racism.
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Aaron Finch’s Australians will support the anti-racism movement on the West Indies tour and will speak to former home captain Jason Holder in an attempt to nail the right tone.
The Australian white ball team was criticised by West Indian great Michael Holding for not taking a knee to support the Black Lives Matter when it toured England for a white ball series last year.
The Australians, who leave for white ball tours of the West Indies and Bangladesh on Monday, will discuss the matter as a team over the weekend.
“We are going to sit down over the next couple of days and have a chat about it,’’ captain Finch said.
“Between myself and the coach (Justin Langer) we will speak to Jason Holder and we will be really respectful and supportive of anything they wish to do.
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“Over the last 12 months we have educated ourselves quite a bit on Black Lives Matter and the Indigenous peace we have been supporting in Australia. We will do whatever we have to make the right statement and support West Indies cricket and support an end to racism.’’
Former West Indian captain Holder also said he was disappointed that the Australian and Pakistan teams did not take a knee after the West Indies set the example on their English tour last year.
“I personally was a bit disappointed to see how the Pakistan and Australia tours that went on after ours, that they were not showing their solidarity afterwards,’’ Holder said.
Finch has echoed the sentiment of Australian selection chairman Trevor Hohns that the seven players who have opted out of the West Indian and Bangladesh tours have left their places open to challenge for the T20 World Cup later this year.
“It will give the guys on this tour a great opportunity to almost take their spots I guess,’’ Finch said.
“For guys to be on this tour to get the first opportunity to put their hands up and take the spot is what it is about. It is always tough to ignore really good international performances.’’
Finch is returning to the game after eye surgery which came after he suffered blurred vision in his left eye and he will also face and anxious wait with his wife Amy waiting to give birth after the tour.
“If she happens to give birth early we might be in trouble but they are the risks you take. There is not much you can do when you are overseas and there are not many flights and there is quarantine.
Finch is expected to get out of quarantine around August 25 and Amy is due to give birth on September 8.
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