The findings of the two-year-long independent inquiry into cricket in the UK have surprised even those familiar with the racism and sexism that infect the sport. The report, which is based on evidence provided by over 4,000 male and female players, coaches, administrators, and fans, not only solidifies the notion that racism and sexism are actually deeply rooted rather than sporadic occurrences, but also that elitism and class-based discrimination are widespread.
Some of the report’s key findings are that South Asian people face the most discrimination — 87% of Pakistani and Bangladeshi-origin respondents faced discrimination, 82% of those with Indian heritage, and three-quarters of all black respondents. Meanwhile, even though South Asians make up a disproportionately high share of active players — between 26% and 29% — only a handful make it to leadership positions. Minority representation is also missing from the women’s game — only 14 of 161 professionals are non-white. Women are also paid significantly less, with men making five-fold of what women do on average and up to 13 times as much for international players. England’s women’s team has still not even been allowed to play a test at Lord’s.
A positive is that the English Cricket Board (ECB) did not really push back, as has been the norm for sports administrators in several other countries, and instead promised to provide responses to the report’s recommendations within three months. Unfortunately, the report also notes that it took the ECB 19 years to really follow up on its 1999 ‘Clean Bowl Racism’ internal report. Still, if the ECB is sincere, many of the report’s main recommendations could be fully implemented in a few weeks or months, and improvements visible in about the same amount of time. Whether or not other cricket boards use this situation to learn a thing or two, however, remains unlikely.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2023.
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