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The Proteas’ decision not to kneel in support of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement before the series against England continues and Makhaya Ntini joined the fray on Thursday when he said he was disappointed that the national cricket team chose take this route.
The series kicks off with the first Twenty20 in Cape Town on Friday and the Proteas’ decision has overshadowed cricket, with many suggesting the nation could be ashamed if England decides to kneel in support of the BLM while the hosts remain on their feet.
Ntini made no bones about it, saying that Cricket South Africa (CSA) director of cricket, Graeme Smith, should end the debate and instruct the Proteas to kneel.
“It is really disappointing to see that South Africa will not kneel in support of the Black Lives Matter movement during the series against England,” said Ntini, who took 390 wickets in 101 tests for the Proteas.
The controversy began a few days ago when head coach Mark Boucher said that the team had chosen to wear black armbands in support of the fight against gender-based violence and in commemoration of those who succumbed to the deadly Covid-19 instead of kneeling.
The decision to support the fight against gender-based violence and the commemoration of those who succumbed to the deadly Covid-19 has been well received, but there has been widespread criticism that they will not kneel.
Ntini said Smith was the first to take the knee and needs to once again lead from the front and instruct the team to do the same.
“We had the 3TC Solidarity Cup event at SuperSport Park a few months ago during the confinement where everyone knelt down,” he said.
“I wonder what has changed from then until now.
“Graeme Smith, who is CSA’s Director of Cricket, was the first to kneel during the 3TC event in Pretoria, so why did he decide not to start?
“This all goes back to him because he started this, and he shouldn’t turn around and not want to do it again.
“I should be man enough to stand up and say this is what I started and that I love you [the Proteas] to continue and continue to do so.
“He should be the one to walk into that team meeting and tell the players and everyone ‘this is what I need you to do'” and then walks away.
“You don’t have to stay to hear whatever answer is.
“As the head of cricket and the man to be trusted, you must stand up and say that I started and supported this from the beginning at a national event, now I need you guys to continue as the national team.”
Earlier this week, Proteas senior player Kagiso Rabada said it was the team’s decision not to kneel against England.
“It was a team decision not to get down on our knees and I think it is to look at gender violence and dedicate ourselves to another cause.
“However, Black Lives Matters will always be relevant and something I will always believe in, and I speak for myself here.
“But if Mark [Boucher] He has said that the team will not kneel and that is how it will be ”.
The Proteas host England in a limited series of three T20s and three ODIs in a biologically safe environment in Cape Town starting Friday.
Earlier this year, Ntini spoke publicly about her experiences of racial discrimination in the Proteas organization during the 13 years she represented the country.
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