02 February 2023 , 12:50
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Sir Andrew Strauss has called for "dressing room banter" in cricket to be "softened" after issuing a damming verdict on current player behaviour in cricket.
The issue was ignited in November 2021 when former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq gave evidence of alleged racial harassment and bullying at the club to a DCMS Committee. Disciplinary hearings relating to allegations of racism at Yorkshire are due to take place in March.
A number of Strauss's former teammates have been caught up in the controversy, with Michael Vaughan accused by Rafiq of making a racist comment to Yorkshire's Asian playing contingent. Former England international Gary Ballance, now representing Zimbabwe, has also apologised to the former all-rounder for making repeated racial slurs.
Following Rafiq's testimony, there were also sanctions for numerous other current and former players and coaches. Headingley was also temporarily banned from hosting international matches, a penalty that has since been lifted.
In his address, former ECB Director of Cricket Strauss took aim at the dressing room culture in the sport, arguing it needs to be "tolerant, understanding, welcoming and embracing of difference." And he urged players and administrators to learn from the scandal that has undoubtedly stained Yorkshire.
Ballance set to make Test return for Zimbabwe after Yorkshire racism scandal
"As we move forward together as a game with players of different genders, races, creeds and beliefs coming together, so the traditional macho, hierarchical, perhaps at times verging on 'bullying' dressing-room banter will need to be softened," he said. "The events over the last 18 months, whether they come from Yorkshire or elsewhere, have shown we have a lot of work to do in this area. But the spirit of cricket demands this."
Andrew Strauss has called for a change in dressing room behaviour (PA)The views of the ex-England Test captain come amid an ongoing review led by Claire Connor, the ECB's managing director of women's cricket. Connor is looking into dressing room behaviour in professional men's and women's cricket, in a bid to tackle racism and discrimination.
In his address, Strauss also said that cricket was about "binding countries together," even in the face of acrimonious history. "It's about serving as a great educator about discipline, patience, teamwork, and surrendering to something bigger than yourself," he added.
"And finally, it's about doing it all with a smile on your face and providing entertainment. In short, the purpose of the game to me is about serving those three important prongs. It's about communicating, entertaining, and engaging people."