[ad_1]
Former West Indies quick bowler Michael Holding has criticised England and Australia for not taking a knee in help of the “Black Lives Matter” motion throughout their ongoing limited-overs sequence. England wore “Black Lives Matter” logos on their shirts throughout their Test sequence in opposition to West Indies and took the knee to protest in opposition to racism, however opted not to proceed the follow in subsequent sequence in opposition to Pakistan and Australia.
“Now that the West Indies team has gone home, that doesn’t mean that you still shouldn’t be respecting the message and what it stands for,” Holding informed Sky Sports.
“Yes, (racism) is more acute in the United States than in most other places but people around the entire world took on the mantle of spreading the word and getting this message out that it is time for equality and time for equal justice.
“It was no longer just a black versus white thing… so for Pakistan and England not to then take that signal… neither team did it and the ECB came out with a pretty lame statement, as far as I am concerned.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) mentioned in response that it was dedicated to “long-term and sustainable change” and had launched “initiatives that focus on eliminating discrimination from all areas of cricket.”
Before the present sequence started, Australia skipper Aaron Finch mentioned his crew would not take the knee as a result of “education is more important than the protest.”
Holding disagreed with Finch, saying that elevating consciousness and schooling had been each necessary instruments within the struggle for equality.
“(Finch) is saying that he’s glad he is part of a sport where no one is barred from playing, irrespective of your race, your gender, your ethnicity, your religion,” Holding added.
“Well, I don’t know any sport where anyone is barred from playing because of anything at all. So that’s a pretty lame statement.
“I’m not here to try to force people to do what they do not want to do. If you think you do not need to sympathise with and recognise the movement, just say that. Don’t come up with lame excuses.”
Former West Indies skipper Daren Sammy has additionally spoken out in favour of equality, urging cricket’s governing our bodies to deal with racism extra critically and pay it the identical consideration they offer to upholding the integrity of the sport.
[ad_2]
Source hyperlink