May 21, 2024

Hosts USA upsets visiting Bangladesh with a historical maiden T20 win.

International Cricket Council (ICC) full-member Bangladesh is in USA to play three T20 games here at the Prairie View Cricket Complex in Houston, Texas.

USA skipper Monank Patel asked the Bangladesh to bat first after winning the toss in the opening match of the three-match T20 International (T20I) series, Bangladesh compiled a competitive 153/6 at the end of 20 overs. Towhid Hridoy led the Bangladesh effort with a 47-ball 58 (4 x 4s & 2 x 6s) and was the last man out of the last ball of the Bangladesh innings. He received good support (67 run partnership for the fifth wicket in 7.2 overs) from the experienced Mahmudullah, who scored 31 off 22 balls (2 x 4s & one six). Steven Taylor of USA end up with the 2 wickets for 9 runs in 3 overs as most effective bowler.

The USA in response lost their skipper Monank Patel early to an unfortunate run-out at the non-striker’s end but were ahead of the game at the 10-over mark, having lost two wickets for 66 runs and end up winning the game by five wickets. Harmeet Singh (33*of 13 balls with 2 x 4s & 3 x 6s) and Corey Anderson (34* of 25 balls with 2 6s) starred for the USA men’s cricket team with 62 run unbeaten partnership in the historic win, given it was the first ever international fixture between the two nations.

Muztafizur Rahman provided early hopes for the Bangladesh with the twin strikes of Steven Taylor and Aaron Jones in the 12th over to bring the Bangladesh Tigers back into the game, and then evened it up conceding two sixes off his last two balls of the 18th, as Player of the match Harmeet Singh began his match-winning cameo as he clobbered three consecutive sixes which turn to be game changer.

Harmeet Singh & Corey Anderson forged 62-run unbroken partnership from just 27 balls at a right time when USA was in need for 60 more runs from 30 balls remained. Harmeet Singh scored the final winning boundary, after Corey Anderson, slammed two sixes, when it was needed badly to lower down required runrate and runs needed to win.

Brief Scores
Bangladesh 153/6 of 20 overs (Towhid Hridoy 58 (47), Mahmudullah 31 (22) / Steven Taylor 9/2 in 3 overs); lost to USA 156/5 of 19.3 overs (Corey Anderson 34* (25), Harmeet Singh 33* (13), Steven Taylor 28 (29) / Muztafizur 41/2 in 4 overs)

This summary is written by Dennis Heath for the benefit of Listeners of the Cricket Show USA.

 CHAPTER 1B, HOW DOES DISCRIMINATION SHOW ITSELF

The ICEC was established in March of 2021.

During a meeting with leadership of the ECB, the commission asked if they agreed with the conclusion of a previous committee (DC Select Committee Jan 2022), “that there is a deep-seated issue of racism in cricket.” Some members of the leadership acknowledged, “a history of racism in the game” but it was not deep seated. While others of the group acknowledged that racism and racist incidence existed, and that the incidences were “probably” deep-seated.

However, the commission was clear in their opinion racism in cricket is not confined to “pockets “or a “few bad apples,” the evidence demonstrates the forms and the shapes of the experience for many in the game.  The lived experience survey conducted by the commission revealed examples of overt racism and abuse from club officials, team members and supporters directed at Black and South Asian players, including derogatory and inappropriate language and racist stereotyping.

The statistical numbers of respondents in a survey of players, showed that 87% were of Pakistani and Bangladesh heritage, 82% of Indian Heritage, and 75% Black.  The commission found that due to distrust of cricket authorities, victims of discrimination did not report the incidence of discrimination and racism.  And in contrast, those in cricketing authority had the perception that the system was operating at an unbiased level.

In a senior leadership group comprising 72 members, the board had one Black, a woman who was on the way off the board.  The South Asian representative was 2.8%.  The 2021 recreational cricket playing population is 55% white males, 21% Asian British, and 12% Black British. Also noted was that there was a decline of 75% of Black British male professional players.

In the female category of 161 players, there were 2 Black British, 4 mixed/multiple ethnicity and 8 South Asians.  So clearly the percentage of minority male and female cricket professional players, does not reflect the recreational cricket playing base.  The commission found evidence that players from ethnically diverse communities are not given the same opportunities, recognition, and support as their white counterparts.  For example, lack of cricket in state schools, and in the inner cities, including role models, and talent selection criteria, including stereotyping, exclusion and other forms of racism directed towards minority players who feel like they need to be overqualified to succeed.                              

This is a summary by Dennis Heath, for the benefit of Listeners of the Cricket Show USA.

 CHAPTER 1, OVERVIEW, and INTRODUCTION.

The ICEC was established in March of 2021.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.  Cricket is loved by millions across the planet.  Cricket connects friends, family, team, club, and community.  It is a thrilling sport that brings joy to many, whether on the street, the beach, in a garden or on the village green.

Opportunities exist for players on the personal and professional level.  Cricket builds leadership and teamwork skills and offers the opportunities to build lifelong friendships while improving health. This game is played in many formats and in many countries, and the ultimate accolade is achieved when a player is selected to represent their country in an international competition.

While cricket is a game for everyone, many prospective players are denied opportunities to play and participate due to racism, sexism, elitism, and class-based discrimination.  There is evidence of history within the culture and institutions of English and Welsh Cricket that has resulted in tensions and social conflicts.

This report is unusual in that it begins with a focus on the historical context of many unspoken assumptions inherited from the past in England and Wales.  The existence of widespread forms of structural and institutional racism, sexism, and class – based discrimination, have resulted in opportunities for some to succeed and thrive while others are left behind.

This report does not say that every individual, nor every individual institution in cricket discriminates.  Neither does it say that the discrimination identified is deliberate.  What we are saying is that collective failures within the sport of cricket in England and Wales does not encourage equality of treatment and opportunities for certain people based on their race, gender, or class.

Following public revelations of racism and discrimination within the sport, concerns have grown due to the failure of administrative leadership to address the concerns.  And so, the independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) was established.

The commission believes that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is deserving of credit for their actions in creating the ICEC to investigate the problems around the issues.  And the ICEC notes that the identified problems are indicative of deeply rooted societal problems that are not unique to cricket.

The ECB leadership since 2018 has achieved meaningful change that is deserving of support on a wider scale as it continues the journey towards achieving equity in cricket.  The commission cites references identifying the economic and social costs of missed opportunities to individuals, organizations, and society, including the effects on mental and physical health due to discrimination and inequality within the game (cricket).

The commission focused on race, gender, and class.  Based on preliminary investigations into improving equity in cricket.  However, the beneficial consequences for other marginalized groups will be an important outcome also.  The commission found that people’s experiences within the sport was based on their socio-demographic and socio-economic profile and disadvantages linked to gender, race and class can have a cumulative effect.

The evidence also showed the prevalence of an elitist and exclusionary culture within English and Welsh cricket.  This culture is partly enforced through the dominance of private school networks within cricket talent pathways, in addition to other discriminatory practices and policies.  It is the assessment of the commission that the extent, frequency, and seriousness of behaviors described, reveals a culture in which overt discrimination often goes without serious challenge.  Behaviors that are racists, misogynistic, homophobic and ableist comments, and a drinking culture that risk unwanted or unwelcome behavior and alienating others due to religious and cultural beliefs.

The commission recognizes that different parts of England and Wales will have different challenges.  Therefore, our conclusions may not always resonate with the experience in every part of the country.  We have not examined regional differences in detail.  And we would urge the ECB and the wide game to consider this as they implement our recommendations.

Another Review by THE GUARDIAN

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jun/27/icec-report-key-findings-recommendations-cricket-ecb