The knee: yes, say some; not cricket, say others

Australian openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja brought politics to the first day of the first Test of the summer.

Australian opener David Warner takes a knee at the start of the first Test of summer against the West Indies at Perth’s Optus Oval. Picture: Getty Images

Australian openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja brought politics to the first day of the first Test of the summer, joining West Indian players to kneel briefly on the grass at Optus Stadium.

The gesture brought a muted response and drew mixed ­reactions. It was the first time the nation’s Test players have taken the knee – an international signal of anti-racism – on home soil and in the shade at Block 149 there was some confusion about what the controversial gesture meant.

Those who told The Australian they recognised it as an act of solidarity against racism were mostly supportive or neutral. They were quiet when it happened and there was some gentle applause when the players stood.

Philip Ryan, 72, looked up from his book and waited for the first ball. “I think it’s baloney. They’re only doing it because others are doing it,” he said.

Lindsay Franker, who was born in Africa and grew up in Western Australia, said it meant a great deal to him that Australian players had taken such a public stance. He believed a lot of white people found it difficult to understand that racial prejudice was real and hurtful.

“As a black person I’ve been through a lot of grief in my life, especially from law enforcement,” he said. “I absolutely understand why they’re doing this … I think it’s fantastic.”

Liam Matthews said he had a relaxed attitude about players taking a knee, but added that he and his friends did not approve of Test captain Pat Cummins’ attitude to energy sponsors.

“This is a mining state. Lots of things here are only possible because of mining money,” he said.