Andre Fletcher: Big Bash import has no issue with teammate standing during kneeling protest

Ben Dunk stood while Andre Fletcher took a knee last weekend, but that’s fine by the West Indian who is feeling nothing but love at the Melbourne Stars.

Melbourne Stars import Andre Fletcher has no issue with teammate Ben Dunk not taking a knee last weekend and is feeling nothing but “love” from his new Big Bash family.

West Indian Fletcher twice dropped to one knee and raised his fist in the air before the opening two games last week in Canberra, along with a host of his Stars teammates, as part of a Black Lives Matter protest.

But instead of kneeling, Dunk removed his hat and bowed his head, a move which was supported by club officials. Dunk was singled out as the only player caught by cameras not kneeling, but the Stars confirmed there were others.

Fletcher, who had discussed the matter with Stars captain Glenn Maxwell beforehand and then with Dunk afterwards, said it wasn’t about what people did but how they treated others, and he felt like part of a “family”.

“Ben and I, we spoke, and I told him straight up that whether we kneel or stand, it’s all in the mind,” Fletcher said on Tuesday.

“Ben is someone I love being around. It’s not a matter of what he does, but the individual he is. He is a great person.

“Glenn (Maxwell) and I, we spoke, and I told him I was cool with whatever we did. It boils down to how we treat each other.

“I was just sharing my thoughts that as role models, it’s more important where we take things from here, and we have to instil that education in to the younger ones. Children aren’t born racists, it’s up to us as role models and parents to give those kids the education they need and encourage them to love each other.

“I will kneel and raise my hand, but even though there are guys who don’t kneel, it’s OK with me. It boils down to how they treat you as a person, and I have been shown love.

“It’s more like a family (at the Stars), and I’m very comfortable and I can’t ask for any place better than here.”

As his teammates and umpires took a knee in support of the BLM movement, Melbourne Stars keeper Ben Dunk raised eyebrows by standing. Watch what happened.https://t.co/PT29xAn3oi

— Herald Sun (@theheraldsun) December 12, 2020

Fletcher has only scored 12 runs in each of his first two innings opening for the Stars but hit a “no-look” six which drew praise from Maxwell, the master of innovation.

The big-hitting West Indian revealed it was a shot he first placed for the St Lucia Zouks in the CPL and was named by none other than Olympic legend, and mad cricket fan, Usain Bolt.

“It’s a shot I played in the CPL … then a few more times, but it wasn’t a shot I was practising,” he said.

“I was a bit bogged down and just used my eye-hand co-ordination and it worked, so I decided to try it again and it’s working very well, so I’ll try not to change.

“Usain Bolt is the one who gave it the name. After he saw me hit one against the Jamaica Tallawahs, the same night he came and told me that was the ‘no-look six’.

“Since I’m hearing it from the great Usain Bolt, I have to keep it.”

The Stars will be looking for a third straight win to start the Big Bash when they take on the Perth Scorchers in Launceston on Wednesday night.

Originally published as Andre Fletcher: Big Bash import has no issue with teammate standing during kneeling protest