82 percent of Indian heritage people said they faced discrimination in English cricket: Report

The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket’s (Icec) report titled ‘Holding up a mirror to cricket’ has found that 82 percent of people of Indian heritage had experienced racism while this figure stood at 87 percent when it came to people of Pakani and Bangladeshi heritage.
When it came to the same opportunities in the game, regardless of race, ethnicity and skin colour, 72% of Black, 76% of Indian and 80% of Pakani/Bangladeshi people did not believe that everyone has the same opportunities, the report stated.
More than 4,000 people responded to the ICEC’s Call for Evidence, the commission’s website says. The commission also banked on primary research, written and oral evidence from hundreds of individuals, counties, women’s regional teams and wider organisations linked to cricket, the website said.

Read our response to the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket which finds evidence of discrimination across the game.
We apologise unreservedly for the experiences of those who have faced discrimination in cricket. https://t.co/vOpqMLmuoK
— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) June 26, 2023
“87% of Pakani and Bangladeshi respondents, 82% of Indian respondents and 75% of Black respondents to our survey told us they have experienced discrimination, which is simply unacceptable,” Cindy Butts, Chair of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, said.
The independent commission was set up the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to examine discrimination and inequity in the game.The report also said that the “game’s structures lead to racial disparities and discrimination, and the ICEC heard many examples of stereotyping, exclusion and rac behaviour.”
The report also found that the women’s game is treated as subordinate to the men’s game, and women have little or no power, voice or influence within cricket’s decision-making structures.
The lack of access to the game for children in state schools was also highlighted in the report.
“There is little to no focus on addressing class barriers in cricket. Private schools dominate the talent pathway, there is scarce provision of cricket in state schools and there are substantial cost barriers faced those from lower socio-economic backgrounds,” the report stated.

Cricket’s drinking culture has also resulted in issues, the report stated.
“A ‘laddish’ drinking culture that can sometimes make women vulnerable and at risk of unwanted or unwelcome behaviour, as well as alienating others due to religious and/or cultural beliefs.”
The report also criticises the ECB for failing to recognise the extent of racism in cricket.