England Cricket Team Banned From Anti-Racism Gesture Before Games

The English cricket team were reportedly stopped from partaking in an anti-racism gesture ahead of their T20 World Cup clash against Bangladesh.

According to multiple reports, the International Cricket Council (ICC) barred the players from wearing custom-made T-shirts supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

It's understood the players were planning on donning shirts which feature slogans condemning racism and any form of discrimination prior to the game against Bangladesh.

But when the sport's governing body caught wind of the gesture, they swiftly intervened and made the players wear their normal jerseys instead, notifying team officials that "approval shall not be granted for messages which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes".

Still eager to take a stand against racism, both sets of players decided to take a knee while on the field, some choosing to raise their fist too.

PA

The T-shirt ban comes less than 24 hours after South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock withdrew from the tournament after refusing to take a knee ahead of his team's opener.

At the time, de Kock cited "personal reasons" for walking out on The Proteas, but it has since come out that the team was under a directive from Cricket South Africa that taking a knee was now mandatory - a demonstration which de Kock clearly wanted no part of.

His shock withdrawal made headlines all over the world and left the rest of the South African players in a very sticky situation.

That said, the team's captain Temba Bavuma handled it with grace and professionalism when facing the media.

"I think obviously as a team we're obviously surprised and taken aback by the news," Bavuma said.

PA

"In saying that, Quinton is an adult. He's a man in his own shoes. We respect his decision. We respect his convictions.

"From the team's point of view, unfortunately we still have to get the job done. There was still a game of cricket there for our country, and it was important, as much as everything was happening, that we found a way to get into the right mental space and take it home for our country.

"But as far as we stand, Quinton is still one of the players. He's still one of the boys, so whatever support that he needs, whatever shoulder that he requires from his teammates, we'll be there for him.

"If there's a need for further conversations to be had, I'm sure those will definitely happen among the guys."

Topics: Black Lives Matter, Cricket, England, Cricket News, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry