De Kock takes knee, South Africa bowls vs. Sri Lanka at WCup

Oct 29, 2021, 3:25 PM | Updated: Oct 30, 2021, 3:29 am

South Africa's Quinton de Kock kneels in support of the Black Lives Matter movement ahead of the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Sharjah, UAE, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

(AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

South Africa's Quinton de Kock, third right, stands with teammates ahead of the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Sharjah, UAE, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

South Africa's Quinton de Kock, right, warms up ahead of the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Sharjah, UAE, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

South Africa's Quinton de Kock catches the ball as he warms up ahead of the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Sharjah, UAE, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

South Africa's Quinton de Kock warms up ahead of the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Sharjah, UAE, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

South Africa's Quinton de Kock prepares for the start of the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Sharjah, UAE, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Quinton de Kock returned to South Africa’s team for Saturday’s T20 World Cup game against Sri Lanka — and took a knee for the Black Lives Matter movement before play started.

De Kock refused to play in Tuesday’s victory over West Indies after an order from Cricket South Africa that all its players should take a knee before games at the World Cup.

De Kock declined to do that and made himself unavailable, but issued an apology and explanation two days later. He said he felt his rights were taken away by forcing him to make the gesture and that he would take a knee in the future.

He removed his cap and took a knee Saturday alongside all the other players on the field in Sharjah.

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to field. De Kock replacing Heinrich Klaasen was the only change to the team that beat the West Indies by eight wickets.

Sri Lanka selected the same team that lost to Australia by seven wickets on Thursday.

South Africa and Sri Lanka have one win and one loss in the Super 12 stage and are chasing Group 1 leaders England and Australia. The top two teams will reach the semifinals.

___

Lineups:

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara.

___

More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Associated Press

Ex-Packer Guion gets 1 year for domestic violence assault

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading no contest in a domestic violence assault at his home last fall. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh also ordered Guion on Tuesday to serve three years’ probation and complete a domestic […]

7 months ago

Associated Press

Durant eager for Suns debut vs. Hornets after knee injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant has been through quite a bit during his 15-year NBA career — but joining a new team midway through the season is a new one for the 13-time All-Star. The 34-year-old Durant doesn’t seem all that worried. Durant makes his highly anticipated Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday night against […]

7 months ago

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the second half of an N...

Associated Press

Judge: NFL coach can press discrimination claims in court

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Coach Brian Flores can pursue some of his discrimination claims against the league and its teams in court rather than through arbitration, a judge ruled Wednesday. The written decision by Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan was issued months after lawyers for the league tried to get the lawsuit moved to […]

7 months ago

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock cools off in the first period during an NHL hockey game ...

Associated Press

Kane trade reinforces hard reality of Blackhawks rebuild

CHICAGO (AP) — After days of speculation, the harsh reality of the Chicago Blackhawks’ situation was reinforced by one move in a flurry of transactions ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Showtime is over, at least in Chicago, and a seemingly bright future is, well, way off in the distance. The reverberations of Chicago’s decision […]

7 months ago

FILE - Yves Jean-Bart, president of the Haitian Football Federation, wearing a protective face mas...

Associated Press

Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he’s back

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s former soccer federation president whose lifetime ban from sport over sexual abuse allegations was overturned last month announced Wednesday that he is reclaiming his position. Yves Jean-Bart’s defiant announcement could lead to a standoff with FIFA, which already has appointed an emergency management committee to lead the Haitian Football Association […]

7 months ago

FILE - Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the ...

Associated Press

Rodgers says decision on future will come ‘soon enough’

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers says he will make a decision on his future “soon enough” as the four-time MVP quarterback ponders whether to play next season and if his future remains with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers, 39, discussed his future while speaking on an episode of the “Aubrey Marcus Podcast” that […]

7 months ago