England and Wales Cricket Board /

Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC)

Tackling discrimination in cricket

The problem

In the wake of #BLM and #MeToo, high-profile cricketers publicly revealed their experience of discrimination in the game, triggering the England and Wales Cricket Board to establish an Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) to assess the state of equity.    

Our approach

Versiti led the Call for Evidence into Lived Experiences of Discrimination. We gathered more than 4,100 submissions documenting recent experiences of discrimination. Evidence came from all corners of the game: from parents of young players to current and former professional players, from officials and coaches to volunteers and ECB leaders.  

Findings

Racism, sexism and class-based elitism are endemic in the cricket. Half of all people reported recent experiences of discrimination, rising to a staggering 87% for Pakistanis, 82% for Indians, 75% for Black people, and 68% for women.

But many people in positions of authority have blind spots: they believe the situation is much more positive than the findings indicate. While 75% of people from minority groups do not believe everyone has the same opportunities to access, progress and enjoy cricket, 78% of White men educated in private schools do believe everyone does.

Insight

In a sense, the issues were already well-known. What the work showed, though, was how deep-rooted, multi-faceted, structural and damaging the problems were. The stories of lived experiences were so powerful, detailed and consistent that they became incontrovertible. This was not a few ‘bad apples’ or ‘just banter’.

The report also showed that leaders in cricket, by and large, significantly underestimate the scale and depth of the problem. It pinpointed the leadership and management failures and institutional practices that contributed to ongoing issues, 

Impact

The landmark report received global coverage and was the top news item in the UK. The ICEC’s 44 Recommendations prompted a fundamental ‘reset’. Among a raft of actions, the ECB is now investing £25m+ a year above forecast revenues to grow the women’s and girls’ game. It is investing in diversifying grassroot cricket and talent pathways to build the new generation of players.

The ECB also established an Independent Regulator to monitor progress and improve governance. TIt will publish progress reports every three years.

“There is no doubt that the ICEC highlighted to great effect the impact of discrimination on individuals and the extent of the systemic challenges to be addressed. Its in-depth analysis also presented an opportunity to put in place a comprehensive plan of action that will deliver meaningful change and rebuild trust among the communities we serve.”

Richard Thompson

Chair of England and Wales Cricket Board