Racism and sexism 'widespread' in English cricket, long-awaited report finds

27 June 2023, 06:22 | Updated: 27 June 2023, 06:25

The long-awaited report came to a damning conclusion on the state of English cricket
The long-awaited report came to a damning conclusion on the state of English cricket. Picture: Getty
Kieran Kelly

By Kieran Kelly

Racism and sexism are entrenched in English cricket, a long-awaited report has concluded.

The sport continues to be elitist, with little to no focus given to addressing class barriers, the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) report 'Holding Up A Mirror To Cricket', said.

Some 4,000 people responded to the call to give evidence when the ICEC was putting the report together, with half saying they had experienced discrimination within the game.

The report made 44 recommendations, including an "essential" call for the England and Wales Cricket Board to make an unqualified public apology recognising that racism, sexism, elitism and class-based discrimination existed and still exist, recognising the impact of that upon victims.

Some 4,000 responded to calls to give evidence
Some 4,000 responded to calls to give evidence. Picture: Getty

ECB chairman Richard Thompson has apologised and pledged in a letter to ICEC chair Cindy Butts: "We will use this moment to reset cricket."

The ICEC report, which was commissioned by the ECB in November 2020, found the game's structures led to racial disparities and discrimination, and that the women's game was subordinate to the men's, with women given little power, voice or influence.

Butts said women were treated as "second-class citizens" in the game.

Private schools dominated the talent pathway, with scarce provision of cricket in state schools and substantial cost barriers faced by those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

The report also found cricket's complaints systems "confusing", "overly defensive" and "not fit for purpose".

It said victims and those accused of discrimination were not properly supported, with people often "suffering in silence" for fear of victimisation or simply out of a conviction that no action would take place.

Read More: Tory mayoral hopeful Daniel Korski accused of 'groping woman' in Downing Street 10 years ago

Read More: First Minister Humza Yousaf says he was 'searched and racially profiled' as Police Scotland admits institutional racism

The report found game-wide confusion over how the regulatory system in regard to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) worked, and highlighted the ECB's dual role as a promoter and regulator as a "conflict of interest".

"Our findings are unequivocal," Butts said. "Racism, class-based discrimination, elitism and sexism are widespread and deep-rooted.

"The game must face up to the fact that it's not banter or just a few bad apples. Discrimination is both overt and baked into the structures and processes within cricket.

"The stark reality is cricket is not a game for everyone.

"Whilst there has been commendable and significant progress in the women's game, women continue to be treated as second-class citizens with unequal access, pay and treatment. The England Women's team are yet to play a Test Match at Lord's, the home of cricket!

"Eighty-seven per cent of Pakistani and Bangladeshi respondents, 82 per cent of Indian respondents and 75 per cent of black respondents to our survey told us they have experienced discrimination, which is simply unacceptable.

"If you attend a state school, you're less likely to have access to cricket and have the same opportunity to progress in the game as your private school peers. For those who do 'make it' we were saddened to hear they were sometimes subjected to class-based discrimination. Cricket needs to urgently level the playing field."

English Cricket Board chairman Richard Thompson said: "We will use this moment to reset cricket."
English Cricket Board chairman Richard Thompson said: "We will use this moment to reset cricket.". Picture: Getty

Butts did highlight the report had found "encouraging examples of good practice" and congratulated the ECB for being "brave enough" to commission the report in the first place.

Butts added: "We have confidence in the ECB's new leadership and their ability to take our recommendations forward - the proof will be demonstrable change.

"The game must now lean into the uncomfortable truths and commit to reforming cricket's culture, structures and processes. This is the only way to make cricket genuinely a sport for all."

Among the 44 recommendations are a call for a fundamental overhaul of the pay structure in the women's professional game and equal representation for the women's game throughout the governance structure of English and Welsh cricket.

The report found women received "an embarrassingly small amount" compared to men, with the ICEC saying it had "credible evidence" that the average salary for England Women was 20.6 per cent of that received by their male counterparts in white-ball cricket - though the ECB considers this figure to be up to 30 per cent.

The report recommended equal pay on average at domestic level by 2029 and at international level by 2030.

The ECB must also develop an action plan to "revive" black cricket, through financial support and targeted community programmes.

The talent pathway must be completely overhauled by 2025 to make it more "meritocratic", the report said, and crucially it called for an independent regulator to increase trust and confidence in the process and address concerns over conflicts of interest.

Butts' introduction to the report concluded: "To those who don't recognise there is a problem, those who think cricket's problems are isolated, those who mistakenly believe focusing on issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion is distracting cricket from cricket, I have one clear message: if cricket is to survive and thrive, and become a game genuinely for all, it has to grip the opportunities I truly believe our recommendations represent.

"I remain optimistic that cricket will respond to this challenge with passion, creativity, and commitment."

The report recommended that the MCC move the annual matches between Eton and Harrow and Oxford and Cambridge away from Lord's after this year, to be replaced by national finals days for state schools.

It also called for the ECB to revisit its high-profile match allocation criteria when the current set expire next year and place a greater emphasis on EDI in them.

The report said being allocated such matches, or having the right to host them withdrawn, is a powerful tool to encourage compliance with EDI.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned

Abuse is a 'whole church problem' safeguarding lead warns in wake of Archbishop of Canterbury’s resignation

Wes Streeting plans to give the drug to unemployed and obese Brits.

Failing NHS hospitals to be named and shamed as Wes Streeting pledges to sack underperforming managers

The Princess of Wales greets well-wishers after attending the Christmas service at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham.

Christmas boost: Kate's annual carol service will go ahead this year as Princess of Wales reveals special theme

Donald Trump has appointed Elon Musk to his cabinet when he becomes president

'Threat to bureaucracy': Donald Trump confirms Elon Musk will lead department to cut down on government waste

Donald Trump has appointed Elon Musk to his cabinet when he becomes president

Donald Trump confirms tech billionaire Elon Musk will join cabinet when he becomes president

Shop selling knives in the Old Town in Chania, Crete, Greece.

Social media bosses who don't stop illegal knives being advertised on their sites could face fines

Several sandbags to contain the new flood in Aldaia, Valencia

Flood-hit areas of Spain brace for torrential rain forecast as orange alert issued

Hereford, Herefordshire, UK – Friday 4th July 2024 –

More than half of candidates claim they were abused or intimidated during election campaign

Booker Prize 2024 Award Ceremony in London

Samantha Harvey becomes first woman since 2019 to win Booker Prize

All Main Candidates For PM Address CBI Conference

Victim of serial abuser John Smyth says Archbishop's resignation paves way for others to be held 'accountable'

police uk light car

Three taken to hospital after car mounts pavement on busy London street near Piccadilly Circus

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned

Archbishop of Canterbury only resigned due to ‘immense pressure’, insists John Smyth abuse victim

Andrew Marr spoke to Liz Carr

'Coercion on a state level': Silent Witness star argues assisted dying bill risks people feeling there is 'no choice'

x

'He did everything right': Reporter who broke story of John Smyth's abuse defends Justin Welby following resignation

Kate Mulcahy, 37, was found dead after a fierce blaze broke out at the home in Greater Manchester

Mother of four, 37, killed in fire at £1.2m home as her four young children 'manage to escape'

A key vote on assisted dying will take place at the end of the month.

'There are different views and opinions': MP behind assisted dying bill reveals cabinet split ahead of key vote