Following the publication of the House of Commons' Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee report into racism in cricket, our chief executive Tim Hollingsworth has issued a statement.
It reads: “The DCMS Select Committee’s report highlights the powerful need for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the counties, and other cricketing stakeholders to reform and take action to end structural racism in the sport.
“Sport England’s funding is explicitly linked to the development and implementation of robust diversity and inclusion policies and plans.
“We have made that clear to the ECB, who have responded positively and constructively. We will continue to work with the leadership of the ECB to ensure that progress continues.
“This includes improving the diversity of Board, administration and coaching leadership, more accessible pathways, and fostering a better understanding of diversity and inclusion at all levels of the game.
“Azeem Rafiq’s powerful and personal testimony to the committee shows us that ultimately, the litmus test of progress will be the lived experiences of diverse communities and their involvement in the game.
“Until experiences like Azeem’s are eradicated, the work to defeat racism in sport must continue.”