Quinton de Kock take a knee kieron pollard

Marylebone Cricket Club has announced an amendment to the laws of the game meaning the gender-neutral term “batter” will be used from now on instead of “batsman”. EPA/SOHAIL SHAHZAD

CSA did NOT consult with Proteas players about ‘take the knee’ gesture!

CSA board chairperson Lawson Naidoo has admitted that the Proteas were NOT consulted about the request made to them to ‘take the knee’.

Quinton de Kock take a knee kieron pollard

Marylebone Cricket Club has announced an amendment to the laws of the game meaning the gender-neutral term “batter” will be used from now on instead of “batsman”. EPA/SOHAIL SHAHZAD

Cricket South Africa (CSA) board chairperson Lawson Naidoo has admitted that the Proteas were NOT consulted about the instruction issued to them to ‘take the knee’ for the rest of the T20 World Cup.

READ | PROTEAS CAPTAIN TEMBA BAVUMA BREAKS SILENCE ON QUINTON DE KOCK SAGA

In an interview with Eusebius McKaiser on TimesLIVE, Naidoo said the discussion on the gesture against racism had been there prior to the tournament.

However, there was no consensus on what the Proteas needed to do to show the world that they are against racism in sport.

READ | OPINION | WOULD CSA PROTECT ANY OTHER COACH LIKE THEY HAVE MARK BOUCHER?

Naidoo further revealed that as CSA board, they needed to make a decision, and after reaching an agreement, the directive was sent for the Proteas to ‘take the knee’, and this resolution was first communicated to the senior management.

It was then the senior management’s duty to inform the Proteas players of the resolution prior to the game against West Indies.

READ | QUINTON DE KOCK: WHO’S SAYING WHAT IN KNEE-GATE CONTROVERSY

And that led to Quinton de Kock’s withdrawal from the Proteas that faced the Carribeans; something that has caused a stir across the world – although the batsman is yet to break his silence.

“We did not consult the team,” admitted Naidoo.

READ | ‘I CANNOT SHED MY SKIN’ – POMMIE MBANGWA’S MESSAGE TO QUINTON DE KOCK

“There were reports that the team had continued discussing this matter, and were unable to arrive at a consensus position that they could all agree to,” he said.

“And the issue was raised by some directors of the board, and what I did then, having just arrived from the UAE, was to consult, urgently, with all of the directors.

READ | QUINTON DE KOCK TO BE A FATHER IN EARLY 2022 – CONGRATULATIONS!

“I spoke with each of the directors of the board late last night (Monday) to discuss the issue of what they felt was an appropriate response,” continued Naidoo.

“And it was unanimously agreed that this was the moment, given that the team were unable to resolve the issue internally, for the board to intervene and to issue a directive that was ultimately agreed upon, and which was communicated to the senior management early this morning (Tuesday, 26 October),” concluded Naidoo.

READ | WHO IS QUINTON DE KOCK? 10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PROTEAS STAR