New Zealand Cricket’s decision to select Scott Kuggeleijn is insulting
“I tried [having sex] twice, like she might have said ‘no, no’ a few times but it wasn’t dozens of times.”
Scott Kuggeleijn should be nowhere near professional cricket. The decision by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to give him his Test debut in the first match of their series against England is a disgrace.
In 2015, Kuggeleijn was arrested after allegedly raping a woman whom he met at a party in Hamilton.
He first went on trial for the charge in 2016, which ended with a hung jury. There was a re-trial in 2017, after which Kuggeleijn was found not guilty of rape.
However, despite a jury of his peers finding him not guilty, this does not excuse his behaviour towards her or the way he defended some of his actions.
Philip Morgan QC, the lawyer defending Kuggeleijn, said during the case: “A reluctant consent is still consent.” This is a sickening statement, given the dictionary definition of reluctant is “unwilling and hesitant, disinclined”.
Kuggeleijn’s comments in court demonstrate a distinct lack of respect. He stated that the complainant was dressed very provocatively, with “a short skirt and pink top with her breasts out”. He also told a friend that “she looks like she likes penis”.
He then spoke about leaving the party where they met to go to a bar, which the pair left after just fifteen minutes as, in his words, he thought she might want to go home and things might lead to sex.
The fast bowler believed he was entitled to something from the woman, which is further exemplified as he saw her denial and reluctance as a challenge. The trial heard from a witness, who was the complainant’s flatmate, that after the alleged rape he claimed that he had “finally cracked it”.
These comments, and Kuggeleijn’s justification of his actions, demonstrate exactly what type of person he is.
Moreover, Kuggeleijn must have been aware that he had been in wrong, as, according to the complainant, he sent a text the morning after apologising for his persistent nature.
These actions do not represent someone who should have the privilege of playing cricket professionally, let alone for their national side.
It is a farce that NZC believed that Kuggeleijn deserved to be rewarded after what has happened. In fact, their handling of the situation is shameful.
Less than a month after being found not guilty, Kuggeleijn was selected for New Zealand for the first time. There have been protests at international games he has played, including banners saying “no means no” and “wake up NZ cricket”.
Protest banners at Eden Park over Black Cap Scott Kuggeleijn and NZ Cricket https://t.co/logtqTjI1g pic.twitter.com/uKvBG8zRYZ
— Stuff Sport (@NZStuffSport) February 8, 2019
Geoffrey Bunting, a freelance journalist who watches as much cricket as he can, believes Kuggeleijn should not be out of prison, let alone playing cricket. He said: “He does not embody the kind of values that we should be advertising at the highest level of the sport.”
Moreover, Pratham, from the Cow Corner Cricket Cast, watches a lot of domestic and international cricket, as well as archived footage of past matches. He felt deeply disappointed when he found out that Kuggeleijn was selected, labelling his actions as reprehensible.
When questioned ahead of the series about the moral issues of Kuggeleijn’s inclusion in the squad, head coach Gary Stead said: “That is not my job to do that. I get given the players I can select from and he was on the list.”
Using the justification that his not guilty verdict is enough is lazy and shows that they do not care about the conduct of their players as long as they are not found guilty of any crimes.
When discussing Kuggeleijn’s selection soon after the end of the second trial in 2017, David White, chief executive of NZC, said: “[We are] not in the business of re-litigating past events. To do so would be manifestly unfair on all parties involved.”
The decision not to select someone who does not have any respect for women to the point where he finds himself in court for allegedly committing rape, would not “re-litigate past events”. NZC not taking decisive action as it is the easy route to take.
In recent years, New Zealand have been known as the good guys of international cricket. They have been praised for creating a positive environment for their players, and the respect they show on the field of play. Selecting Kuggeleijn undoes all this.
Nobody involved at NZC wants to take control of the situation and hold Kuggeleijn accountable. It has got to the point where NZC act like he is just another player.
On 1st March, the Otago Daily Times published an article that stood out, especially given the timing around Kuggeleijn’s debut. The headline read: “Dunedin sex attack victim ‘surviving but not living.” The impact of sexual violence is life-changing, both physically and mentally for victims.
It is unimaginable what the complainant in the Kuggeleijn case went through during the attack, and the effect it had since, especially given his prominence in the recent news cycle.
By dismissing the Kuggeleijn case in the way they have done, and focusing solely on the not-guilty verdict, NZC has alienated survivors. By ignoring the lack of respect shown by Kuggeleijn, NZC has disrespected women. Finally, by allowing Kuggeleijn to stand where so many young cricketers hope to stand, at the top of his mark in a Test match, NZC has let down everyone.
