Cricket braced for more ‘bombshells’ as Rafiq is ready to reveal all to MPS

⮞Player warns of a ‘time for truths’ and could name names ⮞£50k of Yorkshire payout given to mental health charity

Azeem Rafiq declared it was “time for truths” ahead of today’s landmark parliamentary session, in which “more bombshells” are expected to rock cricket.

A third former England international is among Yorkshire figures fearing they will follow Michael Vaughan and Gary Ballance in being named as among those accused by Rafiq. Sources close to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee said ahead of the hearing that more major revelations were guaranteed for a sport already in turmoil. “Expect more bombshells,” said one insider last night.

Vaughan strenuously denies referring to Rafiq and three other Asian players as “you lot” in 2009. Ballance admits calling Rafiq a “P---” but claims he did not realise the term was causing offence.

Rafiq, who travelled to London yesterday ahead of his appearance at Westminster’s Portcullis House, is ready to lay bare his hurt when he is questioned about Joe Root’s claim last week that he never saw any abuse at the club. MPS are keen to get Rafiq’s version of events as the England Test captain and Ballance were previously his housemates.

With no current Yorkshire employees due to give evidence, Roger Hutton, who resigned as chairman 10 days ago, will be the only person forced to answer directly to the charge that the club are institutionally racist.

As a result, it is the England and Wales Cricket Board that is braced to face the fiercest attacks head on, especially after ministers questioned last week whether the governing body was “fit for purpose”. Last night the ECB made a late change to its witness line-up for the hearing, with Barry O’brien, the interim chair, dropped in favour of directors Alan Dickinson, Kate Miller and Meena Botros. Tom Harrison, the ECB’S chief, remains in place to field the majority of the questions, however, about the body’s perceived failure to intervene over historic claims at Yorkshire and other clubs, such as Essex.

The committee, led by chairman Julian Knight MP, aims to establish evidence beyond the 100-page report which outlines investigations into Rafiq’s claims. It is understood allegations raised by other players are likely to be explored, including one that non-white players were known as “Steve” in a pejorative injoke between players.

The Daily Telegraph revealed last week that Ballance was accused of calling people of colour “Kevin”. However, other Asian players have previously alleged they were called “Steve” at Yorkshire, with teammates joking their real names were too difficult to pronounce.

Rafiq, the former off-spinner who first raised allegations internally in 2018, is understood to have told friends he is willing to name those he accused, but only if MPS ask him to. Evidence is protected by parliamentary privilege, so he is free to outline his experiences during two spells at Yorkshire between 2008 and 2018 without fear of legal reprisal. The 30-year-old, who last week settled his employment case with Yorkshire and received a sixfigure payout, yesterday posted on social media in reference to the hearing: “Time for truths.”

MPS may express dismay over a poor turnout from Yorkshire. The absence of Mark Arthur, the chief executive who quit last week, and Martyn Moxon, the director of cricket, is a blow to the committee, given the county faces fierce criticism in the unreleased report. Moxon has been signed off with stress and cannot be called, while Arthur pulled out at the 11th hour after resigning. Wayne Morton, the club’s director of medical services, does not wish to appear.

Rafiq last night handed over £50,000 from his payout to the charity MQ Mental Health Research. “The last few years have been tough,” he said, reflecting on how the racism turmoil and his son being stillborn left him on the brink of suicide. “It’s really important that we find ways to better support people who are struggling.”

Rafiq, who becomes an ambassador for the charity, has won backing from the likes of Baroness Warsi and boxer Amir Khan to launch the first British-pakistani anti-racism campaign. Explaining his decision to help fund MQ, Rafiq said: “At one point I actually felt so down I didn’t want to live any more, what with everything that was going on in my career and after losing our son. There wasn’t enough support. I don’t want anyone else to feel the same way I did.”