ABC presenter Tony Armstrong applauds South African cricketer Quinton de Kock for apology
ABC presenter Tony Armstrong has conceded his initial reaction to the Quinton de Kock bombshell was perhaps “a bit too strong”.
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ABC presenter Tony Armstrong has applauded Quinton de Kock after the South African wicketkeeper decided to take a knee alongside his Proteas teammates at the T20 World Cup.
De Kock made headlines earlier this week after withdrawing from South Africa’s T20 match against the West Indies after Cricket South Africa issued a directive to its players and staff to take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
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The 28-year-old copped a tsunami of backlash for his controversial decision, including from Armstrong, who said on ABC Breakfast: “How racist do you have to be, to not just take a knee and do that in conjunction with your teammates to show support, to even pretend to show support?”
But on Thursday evening AEDT, de Kock released a wide-ranging statement apologising to his teammates and saying he was “more than happy” to participate in the anti-racism gesture.
The South African cricketer explained that his brash reaction was because he felt as though his rights were taken away from him by the CSA’s kneeling directive.
Speaking on ABC Breakfast, Armstrong conceded his initial reaction to the de Kock bombshell was perhaps “a bit too strong”.
“The statement was great,” Armstrong said on Friday morning. “It was two pages and normally when you have a statement that‘s that big, sometimes they have got fluff in them, but every line in this one earned its keep. It was awesome to see.
“Within the statement, he did say if he had his time again he would have taken the knee. I do understand how he would have felt pressure … he was having a mandate forced upon him and it was only a couple of hours before the game that they were told they would have to do that.
“What you saw in me was a direct impact of what racism can do. I was pretty strong and I was probably wrongly a bit too strong, but that was a direct response to seeing a perceived lack of support to something that means so very much to me and so very much to so many people.
“My blood was boiling and in that moment, all I saw with the information in front of me was someone not supporting something that is so powerful and so wide reaching and so strong. That was me a couple of days ago. As you get more information, I understand where Quinton has come from. It is fantastic he has come back with that.”
I’m just gonna come right out and say it: if you’re a white person who did not play professional sport, you probably don’t know more about racism in sport than Tony Armstrong, actually. I know it’s hard to accept it but it’s the truth.
— Lav Baj (@lavosaurus) October 27, 2021
Armstrong also criticised Cricket South Africa for informing its players of the kneeling mandate on the bus ride to the venue.
“Where this has fallen down is the lack of communication from Cricket South Africa,” he said. “They need to have these conversations with the players well before the team bus ride to the ground.
“We have seen people around the world – I wasn’t the only one who came to those conclusions because that is how some people can perceive that. I am so glad to have been wrong in that case.
“I am glad we are having these conversations. It is so important to actually be talking about all of this stuff and you have encouraged people to think so much more about the issues. I am so rapt he was able to come out so strongly and say, ‘Yes, had I had my time again I would have taken the knee, but this is my reasoning and we accept that and move forward.’ Hopefully that is the end of it.”
Television presenter Waleed Aly echoed Armstrong’s remarks on Channel 10’s The Project: “They sprung it on them. There was no conversation and suddenly he’s meant to process this and take on something that the game or Cricket South Africa and a statement that they want to make as his own personal one.
“Yeah, if I was in his position, I’m taking the knee. But I can kind of understand why it would trip a wire. It’s a really weird situation for a player to be put in.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan wrote in The Telegraph: “If I was still playing cricket, I would take the knee – I believe it’s a powerful gesture which is intended to show solidarity with an important anti-racist principle. But if de Kock chooses not to do it, that should not lead to him being chucked out of the team or demonised as a racist”.
South Africa will next play Sri Lanka in Sharjah on Saturday, with the first ball scheduled for 9pm AEDT.
Quinton de Kock’s full statement
“I would like to start by saying sorry to my teammates, and the fans back home.
“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 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 Indian team themselves. Maybe some people don’t understand that we were just hit with this on Tuesday morning, on our way to the game.
“I am deeply sorry for all the hurt, confusion and anger that I have caused. 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 mom is Black. For me, Black lives have mattered since I was born. 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.
“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.
“I know I have an example to set. We were previously told we had the choice to do what we felt we wanted to do.
“I chose to keep my thoughts to myself, and though 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 life every day. When you are told what to do, with no discussion, I felt like it takes away the meaning. If I was racist, I could easily have taken the knee and lied, which is wrong and doesn’t build a better society.
“Those who have grown up with me and played with me, know what type of person I am. I’ve 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 not making like this is about me. It is 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’. 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.
“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 had sorted this out before the tournament started.
“Then we could have focused on our job, to win cricket matches for our country.
“There always seems to be a drama when we go to World Cups. That isn’t fair.
“I just want to thank my teammates for their support, especially my captain, Temba. People might not recognise but he is 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.”
– with Andrew McMurtry
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