LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 30: A general view inside the stadium as Josh Tongue of England celebrates … [+]
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has introduced an independent body for monitoring compliance with the game’s regulations and enforcing adherence to those regulations, in response to a scathing independent report into the game.
In June, the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) published its findings from a two-year investigation, exposing rampant issues of racism, sexism, classism, and elitism within English and Welsh cricket.
The 317-page document published, entitled “Holding Up a Mirror to Cricket”, was critical of the ECB’s conflicting roles as both a promoter and regulator of the game, deeming potential conflicts of interest “irreconcilable.”
The report said that this conflict was particularly evident in the mishandling of the racism scandal that tarnished English cricket following Azeem Rafiq’s revelations during his time at Yorkshire.
At the time of publishing its findings, the ICEC made 44 recommendations, including that the ECB make an unreserved public apology for its failings. In its response, the ECB said it accepted “most” of the ICEC’s recommendations, including a regulator.
The ECB said on Monday that the new independent body, called “The Cricket Regulator” will be overseen by the independent Cricket Regulatory Board and is ring-fenced from the rest of the cricket board.
“Areas of work that were once part of the ECB’s remit now sit with the Cricket Regulator, including Safeguarding, Integrity (Anti-Corruption, Misconduct and Anti-Doping) and Anti-Discrimination,” the ECB said in a statement released on Monday.
“The launch of the Cricket Regulator seeks to bring further independence to the regulatory processes within cricket, to give greater assurance around the separation between this area and the remainder of the ECB. It comes as a response to a recommendation from the ICEC Report.”
“When a case is brought to the Cricket Regulator, the Cricket Regulator will undertake an investigation before making a decision whether there is sufficient evidence to put the case to the Cricket Discipline Commission,” the statement added.
Former police officer Dave Lewis has been appointed interim director and will help set up the regulator’s framework before a permanent director appointment in 2024.
“The team and I are clear about the importance of meeting high standards in ensuring people across the game know what is expected of them, and having the best procedures in place, to protect and promote the good of the game, and everyone involved,” Lewis said in a statement, according to ESPNCricinfo.
