Aussie Journo Calls Australian Cricket Team's Support Of BLM Movement 'Political Rubbish'

It was supposed to be a historic moment in Australian sports, but instead one journalist has branded it as "political rubbish".

The Australian T20 cricket side's decision to take a knee alongside West Indian players ahead of their series last week was met with with an overwhelmingly positive response.

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Hundreds of fans from the across the country threw their support behind the team for publicly backing the Black Lives Matter movement and the fight against racial inequality.

Although it seems one bloke wasn't too fond of the idea.

2GB sports reporter James Willis has come out and labelled the move as "political rubbish" and insists cricket fans "would prefer not to see" it ahead of games in future.

"I've got to say to the boys we must lift the first two games have been really ordinary with bat and ball and I think there'll be some changes this morning," Willis told his listeners.

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"I just think we have got to avoid some of this political rubbish in the lead up to games where players took a knee in support of Black Lives Matter.

"I think a lot of cricket fans would prefer not to see that before games and if it comes over the summer it will be big dramas."

While other national teams from different codes have continued to take a knee in protest against racism and police brutality, it has taken a while for the Australian men's cricket side to follow suit.

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Last year they were heavily criticised for not supporting the BLM campaign, but it seems they have now done a U-turn and have since issued a statement to show their backing.

"As a team we'll continue to educate ourselves, provide support where possible, and create awareness for those who are victims of racial injustice, and/or discrimination in any form," the statement read.

"We kneel alongside our West Indian friends to recognise and show our support of all those who have been victims of racial injustice and/or discrimination, past and present."

Topics: Black Lives Matter, Racism, Cricket, blm, Cricket News, Australia, T20

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