Another apology tendered in battle against racism

The “Black Lives Matter” campaign is highlighted in international sport by taking the knee, but it is not a prominent anti-racism statement in cricket. Although ICC issues warnings against racist behaviour by fans at global events, institutions and individuals continue to come under fire with steps against racism often seen as inadequate at a social level.

England newcomer Ollie Robinson’s suspension over historical offensive tweets after his Lord’s Test debut this summer — he has since returned against India — triggered a debate. Now, the Yorkshire Country Cricket Club is under fire after former England U-19 skipper Azeem Rafiq, who is of Pakistani origin, accused it of institutional racism.

Rafiq has criticised Yorkshire afresh for not publishing the full report into an inquiry it conducted into the issue and only apologising to the player for “inappropriate behaviour” it found, rather than admit to any racial conduct. The issue is likely to figure prominently as India’s third Test against England is played at Yorkshire’s ground— Headlingley—from Wednesday.

Racism has never been far from South Africa cricket since they were re-admitted in 1991-2 and it is in fresh focus. Former wicketkeeper Mark Boucher, a South Africa stalwart who took over as Proteas’ coach in December, 2019, is under focus over what is seen as a toxic dressing room culture his international playing career (1997-2012).

Cricket South Africa’s Social Justice and Nation-building (SJN) hearings that started last month to deliberate on racial discrimination in the game has seen former spinner Paul Adams accuse Boucher and other teammates for their behaviour. Boucher has apologised.

Adams, who played 45 Tests between 1995 to 2004 submitted to SJN that he was subjected to racial discrimination by Boucher

Aand other white teammates. “I was called brown s*** when I was playing. It often used to be a song when we won a game and we were in fines’ meetings. They would sing brown sh** in the ring tra la la la laa. When you are playing for your country, when you have had that victory, you don’t make sense of it, you brush it off, but it’s blatantly racist…”

Former batsman Ashwell Prince has said his teammates would use disparaging terms referring to people of Indian origin—he has an Indian wife.

Boucher, in his affidavit, said: “I’ve listened to the hurt some of my teammates felt, the feeling of exclusion and some totally unacceptable and inappropriate examples of alleged racism they endured. I apologise unreservedly for any offensive conduct, real or perceived, that has been attributed to me. We, the team, coaching staff, selectors and CSA, during the period in question, should have been more sensitive and created an environment where all members of the team could raise and talk about these issues without allowing them to fester, as they have.”

He has argued that there was no malice in his actions and said players gave each other nicknames based on their skin colour. “…I can categorically say that I did not give Mr Adams the name ‘brown sh**’. I don’t k who gave him the name.”

“While I was certainly na do wish to state nothing I ever said or done was motiv by malice and was certainly motivated by racism.” Bou said he would submit a sup mentary affidavit to address cific allegations against him

Boucher is the first big n in South African cricket to a to a toxic culture in the dres room. Former fast bo Makhaya Ntini has spoke preferring to jog from the h to stadium to avoid the team due to the behaviour of som his teammates.

The SJN panel is expecte submit its report next mo South Africa are touring Lanka and their limited o skipper Temba Bavuma Boucher addressed the issue be lying if I said it didn’t hav impact on the team. It’s kn that members of the team been named in the testimo Our coach Mark Boucher addressed us, speaking of accusations,” said Bavuma. provided clarity and context it was more about keeping guys in his confidence and c fort… it’s important we deal it internally and ask what hard questions we need to a each other to make sure we keep growing within the te