The ECB does not get to act surprised at this week’s events, to dance away from responsibility – it has failed, repeatedly, to actOh no you don’t, Tom Harrison. Hold it right there, the England and Wales Cricket Board. Drop the mask of simpering piety. Lose the grave, troubled look. There is no doubt that English cricket’s continuing, historic problem with racism is a resigning issue for someone, that it speaks to both a sickly culture and a failure of regulation.But before we start apportioning that blame, let us be clear on the roles here. The ECB does not get to act surprised at this, to get away with flaming some flunkies, dropping the toxic Yorkshire brand, throwing its hands...
Shameful handling of racism allegations is latest example of club’s appalling track record at clearing up its own backyardWhat should you know about Yorkshire CCC, the club that has been roundly condemned by multiple MPs, including Sajid Javid? That it is a cricket club with a history of internecine squabbles, that it appears to have an appalling record of clearing up its own backyard, that its man‑management is legendary for its cack-handedness.That for years black and Asian cricketers were largely ignored and left to play in their own leagues because of the Yorkshire-born policy which the club held on to stubbornly until 1992. That for many young alienated cricketers in the county, there was more love for the Roses club...
The investigation panel may not have found sufficient evidence of racism at the club, but how else can the Azeem Rafiq saga be viewed?Yorkshire County Cricket Club are institutionally racist. There: that wasn’t so hard, was it? For years Yorkshire enabled, tolerated and normalised a dressing-room culture of racist discourse. They failed to create a welcoming environment for Muslims and other ethnic minorities. They continued and continue to employ staff who have made racist comments.When a former player raised serious allegations of longstanding racist behaviour three years ago, the club initially did nothing and then reportedly offered him a six-figure payout to keep quiet. Under investigation, they have chosen at every turn to prioritise their own reputation and their own...
It was entirely in keeping with the nature of Boycott’s cricketing and subsequent careers that it took just hours for the announcement of his knighthood to turn messyIt has taken 40 years – longer than even the most interminable Boycott innings – but it has come to pass, as the prophet foretold.It was Christmas 1979; then as now England had just been walloped by Australia; Boycott had batted through an otherwise hopeless second innings in Perth for an unbeaten 99. On the Guardian sports pages Frank Keating wrote a column of pastiche carols. One went as follows: Related: Calls for Boris Johnson to withdraw Geoffrey Boycott's knighthood Related: Geoffrey Boycott was convicted of domestic assault, so why has May knighted...
Somerset and Surrey look best equipped to battle for the title while Division Two features an intriguing race to make the top three promotion places Related: The Spin | Enjoy the cricket season ahead … it will be the last of its kind | Tanya Aldred Twitter: follow us at @guardian_sport Related: Alex Hales: ‘It takes 10 seconds to get an image, 10 years to undo it’ Related: Joe Root v Stuart Broad kicks off cricket bonanza in summer to savour | Vic Marks Continue reading...