Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Diversity: National Cricket Teams

Thursday 10 February 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government does not control national team selection in cricket, which remains the responsibility of governing bodies.
  • Minister agrees that more needs to be done to address under-representation of black women cricketers and institutional racism in the sport.
  • Minister met with Lord Patel and county chairmen to discuss reforms and progress being made in combating racism in cricket.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kim Johnson Lab Liverpool Riverside
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question arises from concerns about under-representation of diverse groups, particularly black women cricketers, in national cricket teams and the institutional racism within the sport.

Question

What steps the Government are taking to ensure diverse representation in (a) women's and (b) men's national cricket teams to help tackle racism in that sport?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

We must ensure that cricket, and indeed all sports, are accessible to people from all backgrounds. National team selection is not something the Government have control over—that is for governing bodies to decide—but I am sure we can all agree that the primary basis should be talent. We need that diverse pool of talent. I have had positive conversations with the England and Wales Cricket Board and the county clubs on ensuring that talent pathways are fully open to the diverse range of people who play the game at grassroots level.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or policies to improve diversity in national cricket teams were not outlined, focusing instead on general principles.

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Q2 Kim Johnson Lab Liverpool Riverside
Culture, Media & Sport Women & Equalities
Context

Following concerns about under-representation of black women cricketers, the question highlights Ebony Rainford-Brent's experience and challenges faced by black women entering the sport.

Question

The Minister makes some interesting points, but does he agree that actions speak louder than words? The game has been described as institutionally racist. Can a review of dressing room culture, being undertaken by Clare Connor, fix the deeply entrenched under-representation of black women cricketers when Ebony Rainford-Brent, the first black member of the women's cricket team, said she had never been made to feel different until she entered the cricket world?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

I agree with the hon. Lady on those concerns. There is a lot more to do in cricket and across sport as a whole. I have met the county chairmen and Lord Patel, as well as having dialogue with the ECB. I believe progress is being made, but I agree completely with her: I want to see actions, not just words.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No concrete actions or timeline for addressing under-representation were provided.

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Q3 Julian Knight Con
Community Security Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question stems from concerns over the delay of reforms to combat racism at Yorkshire Cricket Club. It addresses Lord Patel's efforts to implement changes against opposition.

Question

I refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. Does my hon. Friend share my disquiet that Lord Patel, Yorkshire's new chair, has been forced to publicly call out a group of individuals for seeking to delay and derail vital reforms of the club in order to combat the scourge of racism? Does my hon. Friend agree that, in order to support Lord Patel in his fight, the ECB should state that international cricket can return to Headingley but on the strict proviso that members back Lord Patel's reforms, we see a dilution of the power of the Graves Trust, and that they ignore the siren calls of those who wish to retain the shameful status quo?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

I thank the Chair of the Select Committee for his and the Committee's work in this area. The decision to bring internationals back to Yorkshire is for the ECB and I have to respect that, but I have met Lord Patel, even just yesterday, and personally I am somewhat comforted and assured about the progress being made in Yorkshire. Indeed, I have seen good progress being made in cricket overall, but I want to see a lot more. I reiterate that the decision is for the ECB, but I am sure that it will have heard my hon. Friend's comments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific question about supporting Lord Patel's reforms was not directly addressed.

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