WIndies players to wear 'Black Lives Matter' logo during Test series vs ENG

Manchester:The West Indies cricketers will wear a 'Black Lives Matter' logo on their playing shirts during the upcoming three-Test series against England to protest against racism in sports.

The decision was taken on Sunday by the players and team management with the full support of Cricket West Indies (CWI).

The ICC-approved logo is designed by Alisha Hosannah, which includes a clenched fist of solidarity within a circle. It will be the one which featured in the shirts of all 20 Premier League football clubs since the sport's resumption earlier this month. 

"This is a pivotal moment in history for sports, for the game of cricket and for the West Indies cricket team,'' said West Indies captain Jason Holder, who has voiced his support for the Black Lives Matter cause which has come to the forefront after the death of American George Floyd.

"We have come to England to retain the Wisden Trophy but we are very conscious of happenings around the world and the fight for justice and equality. We believe we have a duty to show solidarity and also to help raise awareness.

"As a group of young men, we know of the rich and diverse history of West Indies cricket and we know we are guardians of the great game for generations to come," he added.

Holder, who earlier this week called for racism to be treated like doping and corruption, said the players arrived at the decision to wear the logo after great consideration.

''We did not take our decision lightly. We know what it is for people to make judgments because of the colour of our skin, so we know what it feels like, this goes beyond the boundary. There must be equality and there must be unity. Until we get that as people, we cannot stop,'' he said.

''We have to find some way to have equal rights and people must not be viewed differently because of the colour of their skin or ethnic background,'' he said.

The West Indies players are likely to wear the shirts for the first time in this week's four-day warm-up match at Emirates Old Trafford, starting on Monday. 

The opening Test of the series, which will mark the resumption of international cricket after the coronavirus-forced hiatus, will get underway behind the closed doors at the Agaes Bowl in Southampton on July 8.The other two at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, where they are presently based.(UNI)