Michael Holding and Ebony Rainford Bent speak up on racism in cricket

BY KAYLA KARIM

There was yet another rain delay in England as West Indies waited to take on their rivals, the game was paused for a moment. This of course meant more time for the commentators to do what they love – sharing their knowledge about cricket. Michael Holding was between the two other sports broadcasters who were in front of the camera for SkySports ready to call the plays for the day, but before the match continued, the legendary West Indies’ fast bowler was holding back tears during a moving speech.

Holding began his monologue with the man who created the carbon filament for a long lasting light bulb. No – it wasn’t Thomas Edison he said – it was Louis Howard Latimer, a black man who improved Thomas Edison’s original invention. But as Holding pointed out, nobody would know this because it was never taught in schools.

With a “Black Lives Matter” pin on his collar, Michael Holding continued to educate viewers on institutional racism, saying that “you cannot have a society who is only taught what is convenient to the teacher” he followed with, “history is written by the conqueror, not by those who are conquered”. 66-year-old Holding broke down after revealing that he was thinking about his parents’ experience with racism. He explained to viewers that his mother was ostracised by her family due to the colour of his father’s skin. The all-star cricketer concluded his powerful statement with “it’s a slow process but even if it takes baby steps” he hopes to see progress for future generations.

Former England cricketer Ebony Rainford Bent added to the very sensitive conversation where in a SkySports video she revealed her raw emotion on the topic of racism. Bent shared that growing up in a very diverse London, she was taken by surprise the reactions and responses to her race within cricket and even questioned herself sometimes why she stayed so long. But for her, she loved the game and it had so much more to offer.

West Indies players contributed to the message as well as they walked out on the pitch at Southampton’s Ageas Bowl ahead of the test match against England with one black glove each. Cricketers from both teams took a knee before the start of the game as the West Indies players raised their fists in solidarity. Match officials also took part while players wore Black Lives Matter logos on their shirts. Members of the West Indies squad spoke up including captain Jason Holder who said felt the impact that Michael Holding’s words in his veins. Teammate and pace bowler Shannon Gabriel said that seeing all of the players in union was a great moment and that racism has no part in cricket.

The powerful message that was shared that day from past and present cricketers is one to be remembered by all.