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England fast bowler Chris Jordan respects South Africa’s decision not to kneel in the upcoming limited series, but believes the action has an impact in the fight against racial inequality.
Proteas head coach Mark Boucher revealed on Thursday that his team does not intend to hold the act of solidarity ahead of all three T20 matches and three one-day internationals.
The Barbados-born Jordan says racial inequality remains a pressing issue among England’s diverse squad and is “open-minded” in finding ways to tackle the problem.
“This situation is very individual. I think a lot of honest work on the subject will be done in private,” said Jordan, who has taken 63 wickets in 52 T20 appearances for England.
“If that’s what they (South Africa) as an organization believe, then I don’t think it should be judged from any point of view. It’s their personal decision.”
The Proteas, whose players can wear black armbands to show their support in the fight against gender-based violence and in memory of coronavirus victims, knelt at the 3TC Solidarity Cup charity exhibition match in July.
Boucher said that kneeling “is not something we have to keep showing,” but stressed that his team must embody inclusive values.
When asked if the protest gesture, in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, still has influence, Jordan replied: “Yes, 100%. But I have a fairly open mind around the issue in terms of the different types of work. that can be done.
“Obviously kneeling is a very visual thing that people see, especially when it is put into practice.
“But personally, I strongly believe in many of the real conserves that are happening behind the scenes, especially among our group as an England team. We come from many different backgrounds and the matter is at the forefront of everyone’s mind.
“The kind of questions that are being provoked and the kind of real conversations behind the scenes is where much of the real change will take place.”
Jordan, who played in the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) for Kings XI Punjab, has been selected for the T20 portion of the tour, which begins on November 27 in Cape Town.
He is well positioned to break England’s record for T20 terrains during the series, as he currently sits two behind Stuart Broad’s total of 65.
Despite being an integral part of his country’s plans for the format, the 32-year-old insists he is more focused on cementing his starting job ahead of next year’s World Cup in India than on chasing a spot. in the history books.
When asked about the possibility of surpassing Broad, he replied, “To get to this point, it’s nothing I’ve thought of. Actually, it’s dragged me a bit.”
“It’s not totally in the forefront of my mind. I just try to stay in the moment as much as possible and play like it’s my first game every time to get that kind of intensity to stay on my toes.
“Overall the squad has a lot of depth now and we keep pushing each other, which can only be good for the team.
“I just want to see it as a continuation of my journey and keep trying to cement my place on the team.”
– TEAMtalk Media
