West Indies to sport Black Lives Matter logo in England Tests

The West Indies cricket team will sport Black Lives Matter logo in their shirt during their July series against England, captain Jason Holder said in a statement.

"We believe we have a duty to show solidarity and also to help raise awareness."

West Indies will be using the same logo that has been on the shirt of all the 20 English Premier League teams following restart during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cricinfo reported that the designer Alisha Hosannah, partner of Watford captain Troy Deeney has been contacted by Cricket West Indies (CWI) via the footballer. The ICC has approved the use of the emblem to be worn on the teams' collars.

"This is a pivotal moment in history for sports, for the game of cricket and for 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 generation to come.

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

Watford captain Deeney said: "Alisha and I are immensely proud to be asked and take part in a monumental moment in world sport, this amazing decision by the West Indies cricket team to show their support for Black Lives Matter.

"Watching cricket with my grandad, and seeing Brian Lara transcend from being a cricketer to a worldwide superstar, shaped my childhood, so it's great to be able to help West Indies cricket show their support in such a meaningful way."

Earlier this month, former West Indies captains Darren Sammy and Chris Gayle said they have experienced racist abuse and threw their weight behind the Black Lives Matters campaign.

Holder earlier asked the ICC to treat racism like doping and fixing.

"I don't think the penalty for doping or corruption should be any different for racism," Holder told BBC Sport.

"If we've got issues within our sport, we must deal with them equally."