A battle for the soul of English cricket
New StatesmanJun 27, 2023
An extensive report by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) published Tuesday has found that racism, sexism, elitism, and class-based discrimination are "widespread and deep-rooted" in English cricket.
The 317-page report claims racism is "entrenched" in the English game, while women and women's teams are "frequently demeaned, stereotyped, and treated as second-class."
The two-year independent investigation is a wake-up call for the ECB to ensure that English cricket is for everyone, regardless of background. Details of structural and institutional racism call for a fundamental overhaul of the game, including revising women players' pay structure. The ECB remains an organization overwhelmingly dominated by white, public school-educated men. That must change to end the endemic within the game.
The fact that the ECB opened itself to independent scrutiny speaks volumes about its commitment to celebrating diversity on all fronts. However, implementing specific recommendations, like equal pay for women players, may prove economically challenging. Instead of forcing the cash-strapped board to climb a mountain, all stakeholders must drive systemic changes to rid society of structural and institutional issues like racism.