Inclusion matters more than winning trophies

EOIN MORGAN has insisted that his team’s part in effecting positive change in the game on inclusion and diversity will outweigh any silverware they might capture in the next 10 days. England’s limited-overs captain says the issues surrounding Yorkshire’s LEADING CHANGE: Morgan says team culture has been built around diversity handling of the Azeem Rafiq affair were more important than his team’s performance at the T20 World Cup.

England play South Africa today knowing that even a defeat is unlikely to stop them reaching the semi-finals and Morgan said: “Our culture has been built around inclusivity and diversity. It’s actually been quite a strong part of our game.We have spoken about being a part of the significant change that we feel will lead to something that will be bigger than any of our careers or any of the trophies that we win.

“We firmly believe that there is no place in our sport for any type of discrimination, and I think the actions of the ECB Board to Yorkshire have indicated how serious they are about dealing with issues like this.Actions speak louder than words. Yes, we want to see the sport in a great light but equally if there’s an issue as serious as this we want it dealt with.”

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who has been a central part of that success, finds himself at the heart of the racism row after Michael Vaughan denied referring to him, Rafiq and others as “your lot”. Morgan said: “Given what’s happened so close to home for him I think it’s great he does have a great support network around him.”