University News Last updated 25 March
Significant underrepresentation of South Asian and Black female cricketers within the England and Wales Cricket Board鈥檚 (ECB) talent pathway has been highlighted by a new 探花直播 (BCU) study, raising more questions about diversity and inclusivity in the game.鈥�
鈥淭he lack of diversity in women's cricket reflects broader patterns seen in many professional sports, where systemic inequalities persist despite growing awareness,鈥� said Hina Shafi, a PhD researcher who conducted the study.鈥�
Shafi (pictured) has presented her research to a number of the game鈥檚 key stakeholders, including the ECB and the Professional Cricketers鈥� Association.
They are already working with the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, which was set up in 2021 to investigate racial equality, gender equality and social equality in the game.
鈥淢y data analysis uncovered a lack of representation among British Asian and Black girls and women throughout the ECB鈥檚 talent pathway,鈥� Shafi revealed.
鈥淎t the professional level, only two out of 150 women and girls are Black. Additionally, while South Asian women are overrepresented at the youth level (11.6%), their presence declines significantly as they transition into the professional game.
鈥淐urrently, only five South Asian players compete professionally, making up just 3.3% of the professional cohort - rendering them almost three times underrepresented at this level.鈥濃��
The research also found disparities based on educational background.
Women from state schools make up 69.3% of participants at professional level as well as over 40% across the talent pathway, a higher proportion than their male counterparts.
However, private schools remain significantly overrepresented, accounting for 28.7% of female participants in the professional game.鈥�
Shafi emphasised the need for deeper investigation into these disparities.
鈥淚 will be investigating the underlying factors behind these anomalies, aiming to understand the structural and systemic influences that contribute to these trends,鈥� she said.鈥�
The study is providing added impetus for the BESTA Cricket Project, which was established by BCU, ECB, South Asian Cricket Academy, Take Her Lead, and ACE Programme to create talent systems that鈥痵upport young Black and Asian athletes across the UK, especially females.
Dr Adam Kelly, Director of Research for Athlete and Youth Sport Development (RAYSD) Lab at BCU, praised the impact of Shafi鈥檚 work.
鈥淭he research we have conducted at BCU alongside our key partners has been extremely influential 鈥� and Hina鈥檚 work is just as important and pivotal,鈥� he said.
鈥淲e are pleased to be working with the right people to help improve the equity in the game as well as widen the pool of potential talent for our nation.
鈥淚t will fuel real change and impact policy, including how the ECB respond to the ICEC Report. I鈥檓 excited to see what happens next.鈥濃��
BCU has already been a trailblazer when it comes to representation in cricket.
A previous research project led to the formation of the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA), which has propelled several South Asian male players to national and internal stardom.
Among them is Jafer Chohan, a London-born leg-spinner who was selected for England鈥檚 tour of the West Indies at the end of 2024.