Why WBBL sides are taking a knee for Black Lives Matter movement

While momentum has gone out of BLM protests, our women cricketers are unafraid of provoking reaction.

Sydney Thunder’s Tammy Beaumont takes a knee before the WBBL match against the Melbourne Stars at North Sydney Oval. Picture: Getty Images

Some of the momentum has gone out of the black lives matter protests in sport but the WBBL proved some had not forgotten and were not afraid of provoking reaction when they took a knee before the start of play in the early rounds of the tournament.

Every side had resolved to partake in a barefoot circle ceremony before each match of the rain-interrupted first round, but the Sydney Thunder made the extra effort and took a knee before play began on Monday.

Melbourne Stars internationals Katherine Brunt and Nat Sciver, who were about to bat, joined in on the pitch.

Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes players took a knee in Sunday’s opening round.

The women are driving the gestures themselves and Thunder captain Rachael Haynes is clearly committed to the cause.

“For us it’s not just going to be a one off thing, we’ll do it before our games, we’ve committed to that regardless of whether the match starts,” Haynes said.

“It was a decision from the group, it wasn’t made by one or two people.

“We had a chat about it as a group and just felt that it was a good show of unity and that we supported those players and obviously we are totally against racism.

Players take part in a barefoot ceremony before a WBBL game between the Perth Scorchers and Hobart Hurricanes at Hurstville Oval

“It‘s a unique competition in that it’s not just Australian players who play in it. We have players coming from all over the world with different experiences and obviously an opportunity for them to use their platform.

“When we realised and had a chat as a team that this was something people felt passionate about, we certainly wanted to have a united front. And to be honest, it was pretty unanimous in our group that it was a way we could show support not only in Australia but around the world.”

The men’s team got caught in a difficult position in England, opting not to make any gesture and criticised by Michael Holding for the decision.

Coach Justin Langer admitted later that the team had been caught out and needed to engage with issues of racism in sport and society.

The Wallabies were caught in their own storm over the prospect of taking a knee before this season’s Bledisloe Cup matches.

Rain has played havoc with the first two days of the season. The Stars-Renegades match was washed out on Sunday and the Melbourne side’s game against Thunder suffered a similar fate on Monday.

Rain reduced the Sixers and Strikers game to a six-over game yesterday with the Sixers getting home thanks to the batting of Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry.