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Windies to wear BLM-branded kits

Published:Monday | June 29, 2020 | 12:34 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
Windies captain Jason Holder, wearing his team’s new Test jersey, which sports a Black Lives Matter logo on the collar.
Windies captain Jason Holder, wearing his team’s new Test jersey, which sports a Black Lives Matter logo on the collar.

The Windies cricket team has identified how it will support the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. It will wear a specially designed logo on shirts for the three-Test Series against hosts England, starting on July 8.

Captain Jason Holder sported the new Test shirt on Sunday with the ‘Black Lives Matter’ logo printed on the collar.

The logo, which was designed by the partner of Watford Football Club striker Troy Deeney, is the same design that has been displayed on all 20 English Premier League clubs.

The Barbadian told ESPNcricinfo.com that the symbolic gesture is one that has been well thought out and relevant at this time.

“This is a pivotal moment in history for sports, for the game of cricket, and the West Indies cricket team,” Holder said. “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.

“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.

“We did not take our decision lightly. We know what it is for people to make judgements 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.

“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.”

The new shirts were worn for the first time in today’s four-day warm-up game at Old Trafford in Manchester, England.