In a damning 317-page report called Holding Up A Mirror To Cricket, the ICEC concluded that:
"Structural and institutional racism" continues to exist within the game Women are treated as "subordinate" to men at all levels of the sport There is a prevalence of "elitism and class-based discrimination" in cricket Black cricket has been failed and the ECB must develop a plan to revive it Many who experience discrimination do not report it because of a distrust in the authorities Umpires regularly ignore abuse and dismiss complaints in both the professional and recreational game
"There remains a stark reality that cricket is not a 'game for everyone' and it is absolutely essential that the work required to achieve that ambition must begin immediately," wrote ICEC chair Cindy Butts.
"Be in no doubt, what is needed now is leadership. I very much hope that the recommendations we make in this report will be adopted and driven forward by the ECB and all others in leadership positions."
The report did praise the ECB for being "brave" enough to open itself to independent scrutiny.
Thompson, who became ECB chair last September, offered an "unreserved" apology.
"Cricket should be a game for everyone, and we know that this has not always been the case," he said. "Powerful conclusions within the report also highlight that for too long women and black people were neglected. We are truly sorry for this.
"This report makes clear that historic structures and systems have failed to prevent discrimination, and highlights the pain and exclusion this has caused.
"I am determined that this wake-up call for cricket in England and Wales should not be wasted. We will use this moment to demonstrate that it is a game for all and we have a duty to put this right for current and future generations."
The recommendations also include the equalisation of match fees between the England women's and men's teams with immediate effect, that the ECB reports on the state of equity in cricket every three years and the removal of annual fixtures between Eton and Harrow schools and Oxford and Cambridge universities from Lord's.
elisjohn • July 20, 2023 4:00 PM BST Ian Botham 'threw racism report on the floor' as England cricket icon vents fury Story by Jack Otway • 2h ago
England icon Lord Ian Botham has revealed he threw the ICEC's recent report into cricket 'on the floor'.
The Independent Commission for Equality in Cricket last month claimed "elitism alongside deeply rooted and widespread forms of structural and institutional racism, sexism and class-based discrimination continue to exist across the game."
In addition to that, the England and Wales Cricket Board apologised to those who have 'suffered discriminaton'.
Yet Botham, a legend of the sport, has now vented his fury and branded the findings as 'nonsense'.
"I read bits of the report and to be honest I just threw it down on the floor in the end because in my eyes, it’s a nonsense," he said on Up Front with Simon Jordan.
"It was a complete and utter waste of money that could have been well spent on other things within the game.
"The report has taken at least two-and-a-half years to write, maybe more, and the point is that they are generalising and you cannot generalise.
"There will be isolated incidents and it can go both ways, it’s not just a one-way street.
"I don’t know where it is but I haven’t played in a dressing room like that, ever.
"To generalise and paint everyone with the same brush is wrong.
"I thought a lot of it was heavily loaded and when you read through it everything is anonymous, who is anonymous? Introduce me to Mr and Mrs Anonymous."
He continued: "No one’s interviewed me, no one asked me for my thoughts on it.
"I don’t know whether it’s just that I’m lucky or whether it’s because people know my thoughts on racism and the stances I’ve made, or the time I’ve spent with Nelson Mandela.
"He tapped me on the shoulder and said to me ‘you’re my hero’.
"He said, ‘When I was incarcerated we knew you’d taken a stance against South Africa and apartheid’. I spent a lot of time with him."
While disrgearding the claims, Botham also admitted he worries about lives being destroyed.
"With all the stuff that’s gone on at Yorkshire, I just hope we don’t end up with someone with blood on their hands," he continued.
"Because some of those guys’ lives have almost been totally destroyed through it. Post Your Reply Add your reply here... Add your reply here...
elisjohn • July 20, 2023 4:00 PM BSTIan Botham 'threw racism report on the floor' as England cricket icon vents furyStory by Jack Otway • 2h ago England icon Lord Ian Botham has revealed he threw the ICEC's recent report into cricket 'on the floo