England join Windies in sporting Black Lives Matter Logo

After West Indies decided to sport the Black Lives Matter logo for the upcoming ‘Raise the bat’ Test series against England, the hosts too have decided to stand in solidarity with the cause and wear the logo.

It is learnt that the England players led by captain Joe Root and stand-in skipper Ben Stokes are in full support of the decision taken by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

The ECB through a release confirmed that in a mark of solidarity, the Three Lions will join the touring party in carrying an identical logo on their jersey. 

“It is important to show solidarity to the black community and to raise much needed awareness around the topics of equality and justice. The England players and management are unified in this approach and will use the platform of international cricket to fully support the objective of eradicating racial prejudice wherever it exists,” Root said.

“The majority of us do not understand what individuals from BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) backgrounds have to go through when people make judgments because of the colour of their skin. As a group, we are learning about this and educating ourselves,” he added further.

Root is going to miss the first Test which starts on July 8 to be with his wife for the birth of their second child, but he hopes the team is going to raise awareness by sporting the logo.

“There has to be equal opportunity and equal rights for all. We hope by making this stance we can play our part in standing shoulder-to-shoulder as a team and we hope that by continuing to raise awareness we can move towards a society in which the colour of your skin and your background has no bearing on your opportunities.

The ICC has approved the logo which has already been used by all 20 Premier League Clubs since the football resumed last month.

Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “The England and Wales Cricket Board fully support the message that Black Lives Matter. It has become a message of solidarity and a drive for progress and societal change. There can be no place for racism in society or our sport, and we must do more to tackle it. 

“We have a responsibility to ensure that cricket is truly a game for everyone. We will shortly set out further steps that build on the work we have already done to make cricket more inclusive and diverse in order to address some of the barriers which still exist for some communities,” he added.