Westcountry clubs respond to damning report into English Cricket
The report found English cricket to be 'deep-rooted' in racism, sexism, misogyny and elitism
Last updated 27th Jun 2023
Cricket clubs across the Westcountry have responses to a damning report, which found English cricket to be 'deep-rooted' in racism, sexism, misogyny and elitism.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has been presented with 44 recommendations by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket - which the governing body has promised to address.
The ICEC is today calling for 'decisive action' to tackle discrimination, remove barriers and reform the game to make cricket more inclusive - with the report being commissioned back in November 2020 as part of the ECB's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) work to make cricket more representative and to address allegations of discrimination.
The ECB today apologises unreservedly for the experiences of those who have faced discrimination in cricket.
In response to the report, Richard Thompson, ECB Chair, said: “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. 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.
“This report makes clear that historic structures and systems have failed to prevent discrimination, and highlights the pain and exclusion this has caused. I am determined that this wake-up call for cricket in England and Wales should not be wasted. We will use this moment to demonstrate that it is a game for all and we have a duty to put this right for current and future generations.
“I would like to thank Cindy Butts, the Commissioners and her wider team at the ICEC for their hard work, commitment and focus in bringing these issues to our attention. I also want to acknowledge the courage of those who have shared their experiences with them, whilst recognising there will be many more who felt unable to give their accounts.
“As recommended by the ICEC, we will use the next three months to work with the whole game to build a plan of action which we will then publish. My absolute commitment is for cricket to strive to be the most inclusive sport in England and Wales.”
Over the next three months, the ECB will take the next three months to consider the findings and all 44 recommendations.
Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “The ECB has recently been working to lay the foundations of change, but today’s report makes it clear that the sport, including the ECB as governing body, needs to go further and faster in our efforts.
“Making cricket more inclusive and reflective of the communities it serves is my number one priority. This cannot and will not be a quick fix. We are committed to taking the time to work with everyone in the sport, and especially with leaders of cricket’s clubs and institutions, to put in place reforms that are wide-ranging, long-term and meaningful. We should view this as a once in a generation opportunity to restore trust in the game we love.
“It is welcome to see the report’s assessment that there are green shoots of progress, and of significant improvements in the approach towards these issues since 2018, but this must only serve to strengthen our determination to go further and address the issues which remain. I also share the commission’s thanks to the many people involved in cricket across England and Wales who are already deeply committed to improving equity in our game. They will be crucial to making sure that in the years ahead we really can say cricket is a game for everyone.”
The Westcountry response
Cricket clubs from across the Westcountry have also responded to today's findings.
A spokesperson from Gloucestershire Cricket said: "Gloucestershire Cricket welcomes the publication of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket's (ICEC) report into the state of equity in cricket.
"The Club plans to review and digest the findings and recommendations made in the report in the coming days with the view of issuing a further statement.
"We would like to thank the ICEC for its hard work on the report over the past two-and-a-half years. Gloucestershire is committed to ensuring cricket is a game for everyone and is treating the report extremely seriously. We acknowledge that change is needed to ensure cricket is inclusive and welcoming to people from all backgrounds."
A spokesperson for Somerset County Cricket Club said: "There is no place for discrimination of any kind in cricket.
"At Somerset County Cricket Club, Somerset Cricket Foundation and Western Storm we take a zero-tolerance approach to any form of behaviour which is anything other than inclusive for all.
"As organisations and individual Board members, we have a responsibility to ensure that we do all we can to eliminate discrimination and create a fully inclusive environment where everyone can enjoy our sport, however they wish to participate. We must continue to educate ourselves, to listen and learn to drive progress in this important area. We expect all our colleagues to do the same.
"We welcome the ICEC’s report and we echo the ECB’s response."
You can read the full ICEC report here.
You can read the full ECB response here.
You can read Gloucestershire Cricket's EDI Strategy and Action Plan here.
You can read Somerset Cricket's EDI Strategy and Action Plan here.
Read more: Racism, sexism, and misogyny are widespread in English cricket