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Individuals from throughout cricket have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Ebony Rainford-Brent, the first black woman to represent the England Cricket team who’s gone on to enjoy a trailblazing career in the media, and Ian Nairn, who captained the England Physical Disability Team from 2014 to 2019, have both been awarded MBEs.
Chris Edwards, the captain of the England Learning Disability team, has received a BEM (British Empire Medal), as has William Craig for services to cricket and the community in Eglinton.
Ebony made her England debut in 2001 and was part of the team that won the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and ICC Women’s World Cup in 2009. In addition to her commentary work, she has also worked across women’s and girls’ cricket at Surrey CCC and is currently Chair of the ACE Programme.
Iain led his team to their first ever global Physical Disability Cricket tournament in Bangladesh in 2015. The side reached the final of the Physical Disability World Series in Worcester in 2019 in his last series in charge.
Under Chris’ leadership the LD team have lost only once since 2009, including beating Australia 8-0 down under in 2019 as part of the INAS Global Games, and they’ve won two LD Tri Series victories.
ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said: “Cricket has an incredible power to connect communities and improve lives, and all of those honoured today have embodied that work throughout their careers.
“Ebony is an inspiration who has broken down barriers throughout her career and inspired countless people to get involved in cricket. We’re proud to be supporting the ACE Programme she helped to establish which is doing such important work in giving opportunities to young Black cricketers.
“Ian and Chris are both outstanding role-models. They have represented their country on the highest stage to great effect and they deserve to be recognised on a national scale for their outstanding service.
“We’re proud of all those involved in cricket who have been honoured today, and on behalf of the whole game I’d like to say a huge thank you – and congratulations.”
Name of Author: ECB
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is the national governing body for cricket in England and Wales, formed on January 1, 1997. It combines roles from the Test and County Cricket Board, National Cricket Association, and Cricket Council, and integrated the Women’s Cricket Association in 1998. Based at Lord’s Cricket Ground, the ECB oversees all levels of cricket, including national teams for men, women, and various disability categories.
