Australian cricket team take a knee on home soil in stand against racism

Callan Morse Published December 1, 2022 at 11.30am (AWST)

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David Warner pictured taking a knee before the commencement of play in the first Test in the Frank Worrell Series against the West Indies. Image: Quinn Rooney/Cricket Australia.

For the first time on home soil the Australian men's Test cricket team has taken a knee in a symbolic gesture against racism, whilst also participating in the first Barefoot Circle against a touring West Indian squad.

The acts, which both the Australian and visiting West Indies teams participated in, occurred before commencement of play on day one of the first Test in Perth.

The move to take a knee follows Australia's white-ball teams previously doing so in recent series and tournaments when an opponent had also done so.

After the West Indies indicated they would complete the pre-game acknowledgement leading up to the series opener, Australian captain Pat Cummins said his team's decision to participate in the gesture which first became popular early in the American Black Lives Matter movement was "in support of equality".

The players' stance was fully supported by Cricket Australia.

"We've consulted with the West Indies team, who confirmed they will be taking a knee," a Cricket Australia spokesperson told The Age newspaper in week leading in to the match.

West Indian players Joshua da Silva (left) and Kyle Mayers take a knee whilst displaying the Black power salute before the start of play in the first Test of the Frank Worrall Trophy. Image: Quinn Rooney/Cricket Australia.

"As we've done in the West Indies and during the recent warm-up games we will support the West Indies team and take a knee alongside them."

The Aussies were joined by their West Indian opposition in the act, who also raised their fists in the 'Black power' salute whilst kneeling.

The West Indies strong stance against racism towards people of colour around the world was also evident on their uniforms, with the phrase 'black lives matter' visible on the collars of the West Indian playing shirts.

Preceding the start of play, both teams also participated in Cricket Australia's pre-game acknowledgement to Australia's First Nations peoples, the Barefoot Circle.

The Barefoot Circle is a cricket-centric way for players and teams to take a moment prior to matches to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land they are playing on, connect to each other as opponents and pay respect to Aboriginal country.

Australian Test squad member and Gulidjan man Scott Boland pictured participating in the pre-game Barefoot Circle. Image: James Worsfold/Stringer.

Both sides were seen seated and standing, intermixed as one around the Barefoot Circle logo, in an acknowledgement to Perth's Traditional Owners, the Noongar people.

In responding to reports of fan criticism about his team's stance on highlighting social causes such as racism on game day, Cummins remained unconcerned.

"Taking a knee this week, we're doing it out of respect for the West Indies, in support of equality," Cummins said.

"Anyone who says that's a bad thing, I'm not too bothered about. We're cricket players, but you can't leave your values at the door."

The match at Perth's Optus stadium is the the first of two in the Frank Worrall trophy series, which is being held in Australia for the first time in seven years.