A groundbreaking report co-led by a UCL researcher has provided recommendations on how to combat the deep-rooted issues of racism, elitism, and sexism in English and Welsh cricket.
The report, titled “Holding Up a Mirror to Cricket,” was produced by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, a committee established by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to address inequalities and discrimination in the sport.
The commission’s findings reveal a culture where overt discrimination goes unchallenged and various forms of racism, sexism, and discrimination are pervasive.
The report includes 44 recommendations to promote inclusivity in cricket. These recommendations range from issuing public apologies to those who have experienced discrimination in the sport, addressing historical neglect of women’s cricket and black Caribbean cricket, establishing a new Black Cricket Action Plan, recognizing the barriers faced by individuals from lower economic backgrounds, and implementing changes to governance, pay equity, funding, and talent development pathways in cricket.
Dr. Michael Collins, a UCL History researcher and one of the commissioners, emphasized the need to acknowledge and rectify the historical injustices suffered by black Britons in cricket. He drew upon his “Windrush Cricket” project at UCL, which examines the role of cricket in the black experience of migration and settlement in Britain after World War 2.
The report also highlights the elitist and exclusionary nature of the sport, where private school networks dominate cricket’s talent pathways. In order to promote diversity and widen the talent pool, the report suggests replacing traditional elitist matches with more meritocratic schemes for state schools and universities. It also emphasizes the importance of hosting national England women’s test matches at prestigious venues like Lord’s Cricket Grounds.
The commission conducted a comprehensive survey involving over 4,000 individuals involved in cricket, revealing that 50% of respondents had experienced some form of discrimination.
The report emphasizes that the issues within cricket are not unique to the sport but are reflective of broader societal problems in the U.K.
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Classism, racism and misogyny widespread in cricket, finds report (2023, June 28)
retrieved 28 June 2023
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