Ben Stokes calls on cricket to "learn from mistakes" and become a "sport for everyone"

Speaking in response to the long-awaited ICEC report, Stokes acknowledged the game has a long way to go but hopes his own success as a cricketer who came through the state school system can be a source of inspiration

Elizabeth Botcherby | 27/06/2023 at 12:25

Ben Stokes has called on cricket to "learn from past mistakes" and "celebrate diversity on all fronts", stating the sport "would not be where it is today" without diversity.

The England Test skipper was speaking in response to the long-awaited Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) report, which determined the sport to be racist, sexist and elitest.

The report also included a list of 44 recommendations for change.

Stokes apologised to anyone who has been made to feel "unwelcome" in cricket and acknowledged the sport has plenty to do before it can become a game everyone can enjoy "without fear of discrimination".

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^{Stokes hopes his journey from state school to captaining England's Test team can be a source of inspiration [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

He added that the players are determined to play a role in making cricket "a sport for everyone" and hopes his own success as a cricketer who came through the state school system can be used to inspire others.

"To all the people involved in the game who have been made to feel unwelcome or unaccepted in the past, I am deeply sorry for to hear of your experiences," he said. "Cricket is a game that needs to celebrate diversity on all fronts because without diversity, this game would not where it is at today.

"As a sport, we need to learn from past mistakes and do all we can to make people feel safe and be themselves at every level. We must go further and be more inclusive and diverse because the game I love – and millions worldwide love - should be enjoyed without fear of discrimination or judgement whether that be due to your upbringing, race or gender.

"Everyone has a different story to tell. I am Ben Stokes, born in New Zealand, a state educated pupil who dropped out of school at 16 with one GCSE in PE. I need help with the spelling and grammar in this speech and I am currently sitting here as the England men's Test captain.

"It is clear there is so much more the game has to do and as players we really want to be a part of that to ensure this is truly a sport for everyone."

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^{Andrew Strauss labelled the report an "awakening" [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

Former England captain, Sir Andrew Strauss, described this moment as a "time of awakening" for cricket and hopes the response to the report will "not be defensive".

Speaking at an event of the Ruth Strauss Foundation, he said: "This is a real time of awakening for the game of cricket.

"You have to move forward as a sport. The clear takeaway is the game has to do better, has to move forward and not be defensive.

"We have to make sure anyone who wants to play cricket feels included, welcomed and appreciated. If we get to that stage, the game will be in a much healthier place.

"It's an important moment for the game to embrace this, learn the lesson, don't pay lip service to it and make sure what we see at the back end is actually change."