Justin Langer: Australia could have talked more about Black Lives Matter
Australia head coach Justin Langer admits his side should have given greater consideration to taking a knee on their tour of England following criticism from Michael Holding.
Holding, the West Indian great, has used his platform this summer to take up the cause of the anti-racism movement and rebuked England and Australia for not making the symbolic gesture during their recent limited-overs matches.
Both England and the West Indies did so in unity before all three Tests at the start of the season, with the practice carried on for the one-day series against Ireland. It has since been shelved for the visits of Pakistan and Australia, with no agreement reached between the sides.
England paceman Jofra Archer took exception to Holding’s comments, claiming he had not “done his research” and reiterating England’s solidarity with Black Lives Matter, but Langer took a conciliatory tone.
“When Mikey says what he says, it’s certainly worth listening to. In terms of taking a knee, to be completely honest, we could have talked more about it perhaps leading up to the first game,” he said.
Langer went on to suggest the unique bio-security arrangements of staging an international tour in the midst of a pandemic had dominated the build-up.
“There was so much going on leading up to us getting here, maybe we should have talked more about it,” he added.
“What we do talk about within the team was that we want to have a response that is sustained and powerful, and that it can go not just in one action but a sustained period. Not just throughout this series and the summer but throughout time.
“I just hope if it looked like there was a lack of respect, it wasn’t the intention of our team. We were very aware of it.”
It is considered highly unlikely that anything will change for Wednesday’s third ODI at Emirates Old Trafford, with the rivals focusing fully on the winner-takes-all decider.
Cricket Australia as an organisation is reviewing matters of equality and inclusivity, with discussions ongoing around how best to recognise the issues, including concerns held by the nation’s Indigenous and Islander peoples.
Latest
-
NewsDavid Bedingham ton puts Durham on top against Worcestershire
Dan Ibrahim is one of only two 16-year-old’s to score a half-century in the Championship.
-
NewsBlack Caps bowling coach Shane Jurgensen enjoying Root-De Grandhomme battle
De Grandhomme claimed the crucial wicket of Root in the 2019 World Cup final.
-
NewsReece Topley could miss large chunk of England’s summer limited-overs schedule
The left-arm seamer injured his right side playing for Surrey’s second team.
-
NewsWeather thwarts England and New Zealand on day three at Lord’s
Providing the conditions are dry, play will get under way on Saturday at the usual time of 11am, with 98 overs set to be bowled.
-
NewsRain thwarts England as no play possible before tea on the third day at Lord’s
The home side were waiting to resume on 111 for two in reply to New Zealand’s 378.
-
NewsRain holds up England’s reply in opening Test against New Zealand
When play does get under way, the hosts will resume on 111 for two.
-
NewsBen Brown century rescues Sussex against Yorkshire
Ben Brown, Lewis Gregory, Marcus Harris and Emilio Gay all hit centuries on Thursday.
-
NewsDouble century debut delight for Devon Conway as England fight back at Lord’s
Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson starred with the ball as the home side responded on day two.
-
NewsOllie Robinson praised for resilience after bouncing back on day two of Test
The England seamer faces an investigation over his historical tweets of a racist and sexist nature.
-
NewsDevon Conway hits double century but bowlers bring England back into first Test
The New Zealand batsman marked his debut by scoring 200 as the tourists made 378 at Lord’s.