West Indies great Michael Holding has drawn support far and wide for his stirring address on the Black Lives Matter movement.

With all eyes on the return of international cricket after a 117-day hiatus, rain delayed the highly anticipated day one of England’s first Test against the West Indies.

Sky Sport’s coverage instead played a moving piece with Ebony Rainford-Brent, on her experience as the first black woman to represent England.

WATCH THE SPEECH IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Following the pre-recorded interview, Holding took the opportunity to elaborate on why greater education on the horrific treatment of black people is crucial to society.

“Everything should be taught when you go through schooling,” Holding said.

“I remember my school days. I was never taught anything good about black people.

“And you cannot have a society that is brought up like that, both white and black, who only teach what’s convenient to the teachers.

“History is written by the conqueror, not by those who are conquered. History is written by the people who do the harm, not by the people who get harmed.

“We need to go back and teach both sides of history. And until we do that and educate the entire human race, this thing will not stop.

“They keep on telling me ‘there is nothing called white privilege’ – give me a break’.”

Widely regarded as the West Indies greatest fast bowler in history, cricket fans took to social media to describe the speech as his ‘greatest spell of all time’.

The 66-year-old’s emotional address stole the show for all of the right reasons and shed an incredibly important light on a crucial matter.

“I encourage all to take a couple of minutes to listen to the legend, Michael Holding. Great stuff,” Australian basketball great Andrew Gaze tweeted.

“Please listen,” Hawthorn star Chad Wingard wrote.

“His delivery as a player was always smooth, impactful and bang on. His delivery as a commentator and voice for change just the same. Michael Holding at his best talking about education and teaching both sides of history. #BlackLivesMatter,” commentator and former cricketer Mel Jones said.

Other users described the segment as the ‘greatest use of a rain delay in history’ while commending Holding for his powerful stance.

Players from both sides also took a knee prior to the first ball being bowled, in memory and support of the late George Floyd, as well as a show of solidarity for the BLM movement.