The Black Caps stance against racism is evolving.
West Indies T20 captain Kieron Pollard and the Black Caps Tim Southee. Photo: Photosport
The New Zealand and West Indies cricket teams have agreed to "take a knee" before the first T20 international in Auckland tonight.
The act in support of the Black Lives Matter movement is part of what both teams are doing to draw attention to the fight against racism and injustice.
Black Caps captain Tim Southee said after consultation with the visiting team it was decided to kneel after the umpires called play in each of the three T20 games in the series.
"It's something that is obviously close to the West Indies cricket side and something that we're happy to support along with our own stand with the Give Nothing to Racism campaign for New Zealand Human Rights," Southee said.
"I think the two go well together."
The West Indies will again wear the Black Lives Matter logo on their playing shirts.
The West Indies Men first wore the specially-designed logo during the Wisden Trophy Test Series on the tour of England earlier this year and the West Indies Women showed their support too when they played England in five T20Is in September.
West Indies captain Kieron Pollard said the decision to take the knee and wear the BLM logo was a powerful demonstration.
"It has impacted a lot of lives all around the world and it is something that we will continue to make gestures and do stuff that is going to be positive," Pollard said.
"It means a lot to us as individuals and we'll continue to demonstrate and hopefully at some point in time each and every one will understand how serious this matter is."
Southee said the Black Caps' actions would be re-evaluated throughout the West Indies series and might change format to format.
"With [West Indies Test captain] Jason Holder being so supportive of it and strong with it we will meet with the Test sides as well, like we did with the T20s, and come up with a plan for that series as well," Southee said.
The Black Caps also face Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia this summer and Southee said there would be continued discussions with those nations about how BLM would be addressed.
