Michael Holding criticises England and Australia reasoning for not taking knee

Holding spoke openly and at length during England’s Test series against West Indies about racism and the Black Lives Matter movement

Michael Holding has criticised England and Australia for their reasoning in opting not to take a knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

The former West Indies fast bowler and highly respected commentator told Sky Sports that the excuses given by Australia captain Aaron Finch were “pretty lame”.

Finch was asked ahead of the beginning of the T20I series at the Ageas Bowl last week whether the teams would take a knee before each game – as was the case during England’s series against West Indies and Ireland.

He said: “The education around it is more important than the protest. For us, we are really proud to play a game where it is celebrated all around the world and anyone can play it. It doesn't matter what race, what religion, what nationality you are from. Cricket is a game for everyone and I am really proud about that.”

Holding spoke openly and at length during England’s Test series against West Indies about racism and the Black Lives Matter movement.

However, England and Pakistan did not take a knee during the Test series that followed in August, while neither England nor Australia made the gesture during the T20I series. England also stopped wearing the Black Lives Matter logo that was worn during the West Indies series.

Holding told Sky Sports: “You saw the demonstrations all over the world; it was no longer a black versus white thing. It was a matter of humanity coming together and deciding: ‘Listen, we need everyone to be treated equally.’

^{England and West Indies took a knee before the start of each Test}

“When Pakistan and England did not make that signal, the ECB came out with a pretty lame statement, as far as I’m concerned. I didn’t hear anything at all from Pakistan – neither the players nor the board, and now Australia come here and I see another lame statement from the Australia captain, who is saying that he and the England captain have spoken and have decided not to take a knee.

“And all he’s saying is he’s glad to be part of a sport where no one is barred from playing irrespective of your race, your gender, your ethnicity, your religion. I don’t know any sport where anyone is barred from playing because of anything at all. So, that is a pretty lame statement.”

He added: “I’m not here to try to tell people and to force people to do what they do not want to do – but if they don’t want to do it and don’t want to identify with it and don’t think they need to sympathise and recognise the movement, then say that. Don’t come up with lame excuses. I’m sorry.

“I know that the excuses and reasons they have given are a bit flimsy. They have to come forward with something better than that.

“I would hope that anyone who gets involved with something like this is because they want to get involved, so I’d hope that people who would be joining in and still willing to accept that things need to change and need to send a signal will voluntarily do what they think is right.

“I don’t care about any politics behind Black Lives Matter. I care about those three words. Black. Lives. Matter.

“It’s time for the world to accept that black lives matter and move the entire world towards that agreement and that realisation because it is obvious that we need to do something in this world if we’re going to get equality for all races and all nations.

“People talk about politicising it – I don’t understand that. Three words: black lives matter. All we have to do is agree on those three words. Forget about what you’re talking about in the background and try to highlight that fact.”

^{Players take a knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement ahead of Kent's Bob Willis Trophy match against Hampshire}

The ECB released a statement in response, reiterating the governing body’s respect for Holding and outlining the work being done around diversity and anti-racism.

“As an organisation, we hugely respect the views of Sky Sports commentator and former West Indies international, Michael Holding,” it read.

“Many of cricket’s teams, both domestic and international, took the knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement for their opening games, with the Men's Test Team continuing throughout the entire series with the West Indies. 

“Our response to the Black Lives Matter debate, has been to view the issue alongside the whole inclusion and diversity space, to ensure that long-term and sustainable change happens for all communities who are not treated equally. We remain committed to this philosophy.

“Our refreshed inclusion and diversity strategy, published at the start of the West Indies Series, commits to several comprehensive initiatives that focus on eliminating discrimination from all areas of cricket.

“England's men’s and women’s players all remain committed to using their reach and influence to keep promoting inclusion and diversity in perpetuity, for the betterment of cricket and sport. We understand the importance of symbolism, and its power to keep an issue high on the agenda, our goal is to ensure we deliver both reach and change.  

“The ECB’s work is ongoing in this space, alongside all of our partners across the game. We will continue to update, share our progress and be accountable for driving critical change for all those who do not currently feel as if cricket is a game for them.”

In July, ECB chief executive Tom Harrison admitted as he launched an action plan to improve inclusion and diversity that the English game had to acknowledge a “very difficult set of truths”.

Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.