On June 26, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issued an apology to those who have experienced racial discrimination in the sport. This apology followed the release of a report by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC), which provided evidence of discrimination and highlighted the presence of “structural and institutional racism, sexism, and class-based discrimination” within the ECB.
The board acknowledged the report and expressed a commitment to making changes to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. ECB Chair Richard Thompson apologized to those who have felt excluded from cricket and announced plans to develop a comprehensive strategy in collaboration with the ICEC’s recommendations. Thompson emphasized that cricket should be accessible to everyone and expressed regret for the historical neglect of women and Black people within the sport.
