Worcestershire admits 'immediate action' needed over cricket racism and sexism
Racism is entrenched in cricket and women routinely experience sexism and misogyny within the sport, a new report has concluded.
Last updated 27th Jun 2023
Worcestershire County Cricket Club has said immediate action is needed after a report found racism and sexism within the sport.
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.
More than 4,000 people responded to the ICEC's call for evidence when it was putting the report together, with one in two saying they had experienced discrimination within the game.
The report made 44 recommendations, including as "an essential first step" a call for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to make an unqualified public apology recognising that racism, sexism, elitism and class-based discrimination existed and still exist and recognise the impact of that upon victims.
Worcestershire County Cricket Club said it welcomed the comprehensive report which offered “wide-ranging recommendations for the entire game”.
A spokesperson said the club maintain an unwavering stance of zero tolerance towards any form of discrimination or prejudice and “wholeheartedly supports the ECB in its continued commitment to prompt action throughout the sport”.
Fanos Hira, Worcestershire County Cricket Club chair, said: “This is an important day for cricket, and as a club, we need to consider all of the report’s findings and recommendations and take immediate action.
“The whole game needs to move forward together and address all of the issues with haste.
“There is a great deal we can achieve together as a collective, working towards the ECB’s correct aim of making cricket the most inclusive sport in the country and the game will be closely judged on it’s actions from this point forward.
“Worcestershire County Cricket Club is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.”
ECB chair Richard Thompson has apologised and pledged in a letter to ICEC chair Cindy Butts: "We will use this moment to reset cricket."
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.
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.”
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.