Photo Credit: LinkedIn Profile Photo of Cindy Butts
The chair of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, Cindy Butts, has stated that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) erred in not committing to making participation in the county talent pathway free.
On Wednesday, the ECB announced several action plans aimed at making cricket the most inclusive team sport in England and Wales. These plans include initiatives to enhance participation in state schools by training hundreds of teachers and investing up to £26 million in facilities by 2030. The governing body also aims to provide free cricket for 3.5 million children in state primary schools over the next six years.
This announcement follows the publication of the Icec report over a year ago, which identified “deeply rooted and widespread forms” of institutional and structural racism, sexism, and class-based discrimination in cricket. One of the report’s recommendations was for the ECB to implement a state schools action plan, which they have begun to address.
Another recommendation called for the county talent pathway to be made free. In an update last month on progress since the Icec report, the ECB reported investing £3 million since 2022 to reduce costs for parents participating in county age-group programs. However, the ECB stated that a completely free pathway would require significant additional resources from other meaningful projects, primarily benefiting those who can afford to contribute.
The update also noted that three of the 18 first-class counties—Durham, Yorkshire, and Lancashire—currently operate entirely free talent pathways, including the provision of playing kits.
While Butts acknowledged the ECB’s progress in promoting equity, she emphasized the need for further improvements.
“One of my key concerns since we made our recommendations is that they have not committed to making the talent pathway free for all,” she said.
“I think that’s a mistake. We commissioners were firmly of the view that cricket will never be a game truly for everyone unless the talent pathway is made free. There is a tendency, and I understand it, to focus a lot on participation. Participation is incredibly important and I’ve seen a couple of the things they are doing in respect of state school funding, which is excellent.
“But progression is also important. And at the moment cost is a significant barrier to underrepresented groups, whether that’s on the basis of class, gender, race or a combination of all three. It’s a significant barrier to greater levels of involvement and fairness.”
In addition to its state school action plan, the ECB has also published a talent pathway action plan that includes a pilot program providing extra coaching for state school cricketers within the county age-group system.
Butts further added: “One thing I would say about the ECB is that I think they’ve kept the momentum up and are continuing on a longer programme of improvement. So hats off to them for that. I think that is excellent and a real model for other organisations.”
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
