Ebony Rainford-Brent and Michael Holding recognised with Freedom of the City of London

The pair have received the honour in recognition of their advocacy against racism in cricket and their own sporting achievements

Michael Holding and Ebony Rainford-Brent have received the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of their advocacy against racism in cricket and their own sporting achievements.

The pair, who both commentate for Sky Sports, spoke during an impassioned, emotional feature about the Black Lives Matter movement and their experiences of racism on the first morning of the international summer as England faced West Indies.

Holding, who during his playing days was part of the West Indies’ fearsome fast bowling attack, continued to speak powerfully in a live follow-up to the initial pre-recorded film.

Rainford-Brent became the first black woman to play for England in 2001 and represented her country 29 times, before forging a career as a respected commentator and pundit. She has also established the ACE Programme, aimed at increasing cricketing opportunities for members of the African-Caribbean community.

In October, Rainford-Brent reflected on the segment, which spread virally across social media: at the last count, Holding’s unscripted follow-up has been viewed 6.8milllion times. She told The Cricketer of the moment it was broadcast to the world: “I looked away because I was still wanting to cry basically. I knew if I watched it, I wouldn’t be able to say what I had to say on my bullet points afterwards.

“I didn’t realise that media could be that powerful. I don’t think any of us thought it would cross over, because what it has done is cross over way beyond sport. The black community that I’ve been trying to talk to about getting interested in cricket, they’re sending the video to me!”

Of the decision to recognise the pair with the Freedom of the City of London, Lord Mayor William Russell said: “It is entirely right to call out prejudice in all its forms, wherever and whenever it is experienced, and Ebony and Michael have taken a courageous stand in speaking out against racism in this country and even, within their sport, in which they have both excelled.

The most powerful piece of sports broadcasting I can recall

“The granting of the Freedom of the City of London, which it is my privilege to support wholeheartedly, recognises how they have added their voices to the growing global movement to stamp out racism, and is given with our sincere gratitude.”

The honour, which was once used to enable recipients to carry out their trade, has since taken on a symbolic meaning, helping to celebrate significant achievements and contributions to public life.

Gift a subscription to The Cricketer this Christmas and choose your free gift (a £20 John Lewis gift card or copy of Bob Willis: A Cricketer & A Gentleman). Subscribe here

Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.