England Cricket Board apologises for discrimination following fairness report

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has apologised “unreservedly” to those that confronted discrimination within the sport after the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) launched a report discovering proof of racism throughout the game.

The report discovered the cricket boards had failed to forestall “structural and institutional racism, sexism and class-based discrimination”, and the ECB acknowledged the necessity for change.

The ECB stated it should work alongside representatives from the game and construct a plan of motion within the subsequent three months, which is able to align with the ICEC’s 44 suggestions.

“On behalf of the ECB and wider leadership of the game, I apologise unreservedly to anyone who has ever been excluded from cricket or made to feel like they don’t belong,” ECB chair Richard Thompson stated in a press release.

“Cricket should be a game for everyone, and we know that this has not always been the case. Powerful conclusions within the report also highlight that for too long women and Black people were neglected. We are truly sorry for this.”

💬 “The game I love, and millions worldwide love, should be enjoyed without fear of discrimination or judgement.”

🎙️ @BenStokes38#EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/BzSZGKCy7Z

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 27, 2023

England captain Ben Stokes referred to as on cricket to “learn from past mistakes” and “be more inclusive and diverse” within the wake of the damning report at a press convention forward of the second Ashes Test towards Australia at Lord’s.

“To the people involved within the game who have been made to feel unwelcome, I am deeply sorry to hear of your experiences,” Stokes stated on Tuesday.
“Cricket must have fun variety on all fronts, as with out variety it could not be the sport it’s at present.

“I’m Ben Stokes, born in New Zealand, a state educated pupil who dropped out of faculty at 16 with one GCSE in PE.

“I wanted assist with the spelling and grammar on this speech and am presently sitting right here because the England males’s Test captain.

“It is clear there is so much more the game has to do and as players we really want to be a part of that to ensure this is truly a sport for everyone.”

The Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee additionally commented on the report, reasserting that there’s a deep-seated drawback of racism in cricket whereas recognising the necessity for the ECB to realign and in search of to make sure it delivers on its commitments.

“The volume of evidence, not only of racial discrimination, but also of sexism and elitism, is unacceptable in a sport that should be for all, and must now be a catalyst for change,” CMS Committee Chair Caroline Dinenage stated in a press release.

Thompson stated the session course of could be led by ECB Deputy CEO Clare Connor with the help of a sub-group of the Board together with Zahida Manzoor, Pete Ackerley, Ebony Rainford-Brent, Ron Kalifa, Richard Gould and himself.