West Indies assistant coach Roddy Estwick said his team wore black gloves when taking a knee before the first Test against England on Wednesday because they wanted to make a statement that was “different” and “bigger”.
Just before the game began at 2pm BST due to a rain delay, West Indies’ fielders and England’s opening batsmen took their positions on the field, while the two teams’ support staff and the remaining England players gathered on the boundary to take a knee in solidarity with the fight for racial equality.
The West Indies’ players also wore black gloves and held their fists aloft.
Estwick was grateful for England’s support.
“That is something that we met as a group and we discussed,” said Estwick. “That’s something that we wanted to do, we wanted to make a statement and we wanted to be different to everybody else.
In Pictures | England and West Indies take a knee ahead of first Test
"That was our way of showing our support to the Black Lives Matter campaign.
"We felt like we wanted to do something different, we felt if we wanted to make a bigger statement we should wear the black glove and it worked as people are talking about it.
“For me it was a good feeling because we have to make change. For us it’s all about equality, it’s all about honesty, it’s all about treating everybody equal. For us that’s very, very important.
“We were happy as a group to do it and I thought it was really wonderful to see England supporting us with the whole thing. Obviously it came off very very well.”
England's Jos Buttler believes the two teams sent a “powerful message” by taking a knee.
“It was a very strong message,” he said. "I think it’s very important for both sides to show solidarity and to do it together.
"I thought it was very powerful, and a very powerful message that needs to be taken forward and I’m glad we were about to be a part of that.”
Graham Thorpe, the England batting coach, added: “It’s important to show solidarity with the West Indies. The bottom line is we feel there is no room for racism in the sport. You want them to be able to stand together. That’s what we spoke about.
"That’s a start from the England team. We’re proud to have done it.”
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Shannon Gabriel, who took the only wicket of a damp day, said: "It was a great moment, showing something we stand for and that racism has no part in cricket.”
Estwick said that West Indies hope to bowl England, who are 35 for one overnight, out for 175.
