South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, one of the leading cricketers in the world, has made himself unavailable for his country against West Indies in the T20 World Cup

Cricket's racial politics were in the spotlight again when South African star Quinton de Kock sensationally pulled out of a crucial T20 World Cup match after refusing to take a knee.

The drama began a few hours before Tuesday’s game against West Indies, when the South African board told their players ‘to adopt a consistent and united stance against racism’ and take a knee ahead of every match.

But De Kock — his side’s opener, wicketkeeper and best batsman — decided during the coach journey to the Dubai International Cricket stadium that he would not join in, effectively ruling himself out of the match, and possibly the tournament. On Tuesday night, there was even speculation that, at the age of 28, he had represented his country for the last time.

At the toss, South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma said De Kock had withdrawn for ‘personal reasons’. But, after his side put the distraction behind them to brush West Indies aside, Bavuma said he had been ‘surprised and taken aback’ by the development.

He said it had been ‘one of my toughest days to deal with as a captain’, but added: ‘Quinton is an adult. You have to respect his decision, whether you agree with it or not. I can’t force others to see things the way I do, and neither can they force me.’

Bavuma said the South African board’s decision to impose their edict on the morning of a crucial World Cup game was ‘not ideal’. And while he described De Kock as ‘still one of the boys’, he admitted the dressing room had not yet properly digested the implications of his stance. ‘We have to find a way to move forward,’ he said.

West Indies captain Kieron Pollard, an IPL team-mate of De Kock’s at Mumbai Indians, appeared unaware of the day’s events but said taking a knee was ‘something we feel strongly about as a team and as a people’, adding: ‘We will continue to do it. Everyone has their own opinions on it. Education is the key.’

It is not the first time De Kock has gone against the grain.

In June, before a Test against West Indies in St Lucia, he was the only South African to opt against the gesture, later saying: ‘I’ll keep my reasons to myself.’ Cricket South Africa responded yesterday by putting out another statement, insisting ‘it was imperative for the team to be seen taking a stand against racism, especially given South Africa’s history’.

De Kock is seen on the far left here electing not to take the knee before a T20 match against Sri Lanka last September

Cricket South Africa ordered their players to take the knee following their disjointed support for the Black Lives Matter movement against Australia last week (above)

Speaking at the toss, captain Temba Bavuma (right) revealed De Kock (left) had withdrawn from the match against West Indies for 'personal reasons'

In the commentary box, former Zimbabwe seamer Pommie Mbangwa could not hide his disappointment. ‘Excuse me for being political,’ he said, ‘but I cannot shed my skin.’

Fellow commentator Daren Sammy, a former West Indies captain, was also dismayed, saying: ‘There are other issues affecting the world but I don’t understand why it is so difficult.’

The controversy comes not long after uncomfortable stories were told in front of South Africa’s Social Justice and Nation-Building Committee. 

De Kock was replaced by Heinrich Klaasen - who took the knee - as Proteas wicketkeeper

Among them, current head coach and ex-wicketkeeper Mark Boucher admitted he had taken part, during his playing days, in a team song in which spin bowler Paul Adams was referred to as a ‘brown s***’. Boucher said he deeply regretted his behaviour.

It is hard to imagine De Kock will play any further part in his tournament, unless he changes his stance. Despite his absence, South Africa managed an eight-wicket win against West Indies, who have now lost two out of two after being bundled out for 55 by England on Saturday.

Set a modest 144, South Africa — who had lost to Australia three days earlier — were boosted by Aiden Markram’s unbeaten 51 off 26.

De Kock has long chosen to stand while his team-mates took the knee in previous matches

Pommie Mbangwa (left) and Darren Sammy (right) spoke out against De Kock's actions

Both West Indies and Proteas players took the knee before their group match in Dubai