EXPERT COMMENT LAST UPDATED : 27 JUNE 2023
Former Worcestershire county player Dr Irfan Khawaja, now Senior Lecturer in Physical Education at Birmingham City University (BCU), says the ECB’s “hand has been forced” by a damning report into the state of English cricket but says it is an opportunity for the “game to take action”.
The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket report alleges “widespread and deep-rooted” racism, sexism, elitism and class-based discrimination at all levels of the game.
Dr Khawaja, who helped establish the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) to provide opportunities for players from underrepresented communities, said: “I’m not surprised in the slightest with the findings.
“When we set up the South Asian Cricket Academy, we knew there were inequalities that needed addressing. What the ECB has found at national level, we had found locally.
“It’s refreshing that this report has come out and the ECB has taken the stance to reset. It puts faith back in the game and it can now become a more inclusive sport. People will point to the report and say it’s terrible for cricket, but there are positives. It’s a chance for the game to take action, to make cricket accessible to everyone. But it’s just the beginning.
“Whatever your gender, ethnicity and ability, cricket should be for everyone to enjoy. We also need more role models in the game. When I started playing, there were no South Asian role models for me to aspire to. Kids need role models. They need to see it to be it.
“The ECB is capable of making the changes it needs to now that its hand has been forced. But there needs to be more diversity at management level. That way the game will become more reflective of the people who want to play it.
“There also needs to be more funding for projects like the SACA. At BCU, we have been tackling inequalities in the game and looking at ways to get more and more people playing cricket. But there needs to more funding. We need more support.”