The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Monday that an independent cricket regulator would be established after a damning investigation uncovered racism, misogyny, classism, and elitism in the sport.
In June, the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) released its findings, which revealed “widespread” discrimination in the game and made 44 recommendations.
The ICEC was formed in 2021 as a result of a racism issue involving the treatment of Pakistan-born bowler Azeem Rafiq at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
The new regulator will be in charge of ensuring that the game’s regulations are followed, as well as safeguarding, anti-corruption, anti-doping, and anti-discrimination.
Former police officer Dave Lewis will serve as interim director of the body, which will be monitored by an independent cricket regulatory board.
“It is important that the game has the best processes in place in order to enforce regulations,” said ECB chief executive Richard Gould.
“The ICEC report recommended that we introduce greater independence to the game’s regulatory process, which the cricket regulator will do under the supervision of an independent cricket regulatory board.”
“The cricket regulator is ring-fenced from the ECB, and that separation will ensure that their work is distinct from our work as the game’s promoter.”