Cricket follow-up

We welcome the ECB’s unreserved apology to those affected by discrimination in cricket, and the commitments the board have made to acting on much of the report of the Independent Commission into Equity in Cricket. However, we are concerned that their ambition may not translate into action on some of the ICEC’s most powerful recommendations. If this happens the ECB’s aim to be the most inclusive sport in England and Wales may not be reached. We recommend that the ECB publish a progress report on the first anniversary of the publication of the ICEC’s report responding to each recommendation and an assessment of the impact on equity on cricket.

Decisions on the future of Yorkshire County Cricket Club are best made by its members, with good governance and a continued commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion led by an independent, open and transparent board. We want Yorkshire CCC to continue to reform and to succeed.

We expect the ECB to closely monitor Yorkshire CCC to their work and ensure that there is no return to the ‘business as usual’ that allowed a culture of discrimination to take root and thrive at the club. We urge the ECB and the Cricket Regulatory to pay particular attention to the future performance of Yorkshire CCC in relation to inequality. The Committee will take close interest in their performance.