Cricket news: Quinton de Kock returns, takes a knee before South Africa’s match against Sri Lanka

Quinton de Kock was back in the South African team for their clash against Sri Lanka at the T20 World Cup — and he took a knee in solidarity with his teammates before the first ball.

One of the most extraordinary weeks in World Cup history finished with Quinton de Kock recalled to the South African team – and taking a knee for Black Lives Matter.

Just five days after he sensationally pulled out of a match against the West Indies because he refused to follow an edict from Cricket South Africa to take a knee, de Kock was back behind the stumps for the Proteas to face Sri Lanka.

The path for de Kock’s stunning comeback was set with an emotional public apology on Thursday, and his coach and teammates decided he deserved to return immediately to the line-up despite walking out on them.

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De Kock took a knee in solidarity with his teammates before the first ball.

Commentator Pommie Mbangwa was one of the most vocal critics of de Kock’s refusal to support the Black Lives Matter protest, but on Saturday night was on air to acknowledge the 28-year-old’s change of heart.

Quinton de Kock takes the knee before South Africa’s T20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

“Taking the knee in support of anti-racism. There’s been much discussion about Quinton and he’s joined in with the rest of his teammates,” Mbangwa said.

“His statement was out there for everyone to read in the media and he wants to get on and back to playing the game.”

De Kock looked solemn faced before play and was embraced around the shoulder by teammate Rassie van der Dussen in a team huddle.

The awkward truth that awaits de Kock

Quinton de Kock deserves credit for his raw and authentic apology over Black Lives Matter, but he’s no hero.

From a purely cricketing point of view, nothing can change the fact he turned his back on his South African teammates two hours before a World Cup game.

It’s hard not to respect de Kock for how real and sincere he came across in his lengthy explanation of why he refused to take a knee, and how he now acknowledges he was wrong.

It was obvious it was in his own words, and the fact Cricket South Africa let him bag them in his statement showed their decency too in acknowledging they have also made a meal of things.

While in Australia the act of taking a knee might seem a simple gesture and an uncomplicated matter of personal choice, in South Africa, with its history, it is not that simple.

But if you peel back the politics, you are left with a cricket team competing at a World Cup, trying to finally bloody win one.

And in sport when you leave your teammates high and dry at the altar as de Kock did – no matter how complex the political issues at play might be – it’s hard to put the genie back in the bottle.

How can his coach or teammates truly trust him again as a player?

De Kock had to know that when he made the decision not to get off the bus to face the West Indies, it was a definitive moment with wide-ranging ramifications.

And if you boil de Kock’s decision down to its most basic level – he made a call that directly jeopardised his teammates on the field of battle.

Some things are bigger than sport and perhaps letting down teammates was an unfortunate but necessary consequence of de Kock’s right to stand up for what he believed in and revolt against being told what to do.

But now he’s done a complete U-turn, de Kock certainly can’t be called a martyr and what you’re left with is the reality his extreme response punished his teammates.

Quinton de Kock is back in the frame for selection after his backflip.

Blindsided by de Kock’s walk out two hours before play against the West Indies on Tuesday night, captain Temba Bavuma somehow rallied his troops to victory.

The batsman who replaced de Kock, Reeza Hendricks batted well and the man who took over the wicketkeeping Heinrich Klaasen also did a fine job, so why should the team immediately drop everything to get the prodigal son back in?

The humility of de Kock and Cricket South Africa admitting fault in a series of statements has paved the way for him to return to the team sheet against Sri Lanka.

But like with everything in South African cricket; ‘it’s complicated.’

There is a difference between forgiving de Kock as a person and as a cricketer, and the latter won’t be easy for those inside the four walls of the dressing room.

STAR’S EMOTIONAL PLEA AFTER KNEELING FURORE

South African superstar Quinton de Kock has made a stunning backflip on his decision to walk out on the World Cup, and has indicated he will now take the knee in support of Black Lives Matter if given another opportunity to play for his country.

De Kock has issued an extraordinary apology to his teammates and South African fans for letting his country down over his political decision to pull out of a World Cup match against the West Indies following a Cricket South Africa board directive that all players must take a knee before matches.

The 28-year-old declared he was not a racist and revealed he comes from a mixed race family, where his half sisters are Coloured and his Stepmother is Black.

In a lengthy statement, de Kock attempted to explain his position and apologised.

“I would like to start by saying sorry to my teammates, and the fans back home,” he said.

“I never ever wanted to make this a Quinton issue. I understand the importance of standing against racism, and I also understand the responsibility of us as players to set an example.

“If me taking a knee helps to educate others, and makes the lives of others better, I am more than happy to do so.

“I did not, in any way, mean to disrespect anyone by not playing against West Indies, especially the West Indies team themselves.

“Maybe some people don’t understand that we were just hit with this on Tuesday morning, on the way to a game.

Quinton de Kock takes part in South Africa’s opening match against Australia at T20 World Cup in his homeland.

“I am deeply sorry for all the hurt, confusion and anger that I have caused.”

De Kock’s backflip comes after 48 hours of intense backlash which included sources revealing his $500,000 IPL deal with the Mumbai Indians — and his future in the lucrative global tournament was under severe threat due to his actions.

Big Bash League clubs had already expressed immediate interest in de Kock’s services, however his availability would now depend on his South African future.

It’s unclear whether de Kock’s apology will prompt South Africa to welcome their wicketkeeper and captain back into the fold for him to play in their next World Cup match on Saturday.

De Kock said he has been called many things in his career, but nothing has hurt him more than being labelled a racist.

He insists that is not the case.

“I was quiet on this very important issue until now. But I feel I have to explain myself a little bit. 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,” said de Kock.

“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’s stunning walk out had come in direct response to the Cricket South Africa board making it compulsory for players.

De Kock pointed the finger at the South African board for leaving it until a couple of hours before their match against the West Indies to drop the bombshell directive on the team.

He says he now understands the point they were trying to get across.

“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,” de Kock said.

“I know I have an example to set. We were previously told that we had a choice to do what we felt we wanted to do. I chose to keep my thoughts to myself, and thought of the pride of playing for my family and my country.

“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 live every day.

“When you are told what to do, with no discussion, I felt like it takes away the meaning.”

De Kock said the backlash to the international incident he has created has heavily impacted his pregnant wife and family.

“If I was racist, I could easily have taken a knee and lied, which is wrong and doesn’t build a better society,” he said.

“Those who have grown up with me and have played with me, know what type of person I am. I have 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. 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.

“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’s not.

“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”.

De Kock takes part in a training drill before his extraordinary walkout.

Wicketkeeper de Kock watches a sliced delivery escape his grasp.

“I don’t think I was the only one. We had camps. We had sessions. We had zoom meetings. We know where we all stand. And that is together.”

De Kock pleaded for forgiveness from teammates but made it clear he felt the board was as much to blame as him.

“I love every one of my teammates, and I love nothing more than playing cricket for South Africa. I think it would have been better for everyone concerned if we’d sorted this out before the tournament started,” he said.

“Then we could have focused on our job – to win cricket matches for our country.

“There are always seems to be a drama when we go to World Cups. That isn’t fair. I just wanted to thank my teammates for their support, especially my captain, Temba (Bavuma). People might not recognise but he’s a flipping amazing leader.

“If he and the team and South Africa, will have me, I would love nothing more than to play cricket for my country again.”