As International cricket returned on the field after 117 days it raised its voice on the black lives matter. The players of both the teams (and the support staff) England and West Indies kneed down with one fist up to raise the voice. The match officials also took part in the gesture to promote the call.
The issue of ‘Black lives matters‘ got pace and created a huge uproar in the U.S and across the world, after the killing of George Floyd by a white policeman in the U.S.The incident highlighted the biases against black people in U.S. and how Police fuels that. The incident was followed by similar acts by police in other states of U.S. which added to public anger.
Supporting the cause of black lives and calling for end of such biases the players put up their voice. Not only the knee down but the players of both the teams are carrying a logo on their shirts saying black lives matter. ” It was a great moment, showing something we stand for and that racism has no part in cricket”, said West Indies’s fast bowler Shannon Gabriel.
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The player also observed a moment’s silence to remember the lives lost to the coronavirus pandemic. A tribute was also paid to West Indies great Sir Everton Weekes. Earlier players from the English Premier league knelt at the beginning of every match since the start of the season post lockdown.