In today’s UK cricket news, learn more about how a top sports lawyer predicts a “get on board or get off” approach to racism in English cricket. Meanwhile, Ex-cricketer Nathan Bracken, an Australian sporting legend, has set his sights on a new career. Lastly, Mark Wood, a fast bowler for England, is unsure if he will play more than three Ashes Tests this summer.
Leading Sports Lawyer Predicts English Cricket Will Change Racially and Culturally
Original Source: Racial and cultural shift within English cricket is inevitable, says leading sports lawyer
A senior sports lawyer predicts that England cricket’s anti-racism efforts would adopt a “get on board or get off” approach.
Yasin Patel, a sports, media, and entertainment legal specialist, told Arab News that he thinks the Yorkshire County Cricket Club tribunal might improve the sport.
After an examination into the club’s handling of former player Azeem Rafiq’s racism charges, Yorkshire CCC and a “number of persons,” including former England player Gary Ballance, were charged by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
In September 2020, Pakistani off-spinner Rafiq accused bullies of bigotry. His two stints with Yorkshire, 2008–2014 and 2016–2018, were related.
Michael Vaughan, a former England and Yorkshire captain, is appearing at the London hearing till March 9. Rafiq accused him of racism while ruling Yorkshire.
The hearing is seen as a touchstone for the English game and inclusivity, particularly among UK South Asians.
According to Patel, “Any guilty parties will need to enroll in educational programs, which will inform them in terms of prejudice and racism, so that nothing like this happens again.”
If Vaughan, who retired from playing and has worked as a commentator for various broadcasters, is found guilty of using racial insults, Patel said he will have a hard time finding job in the game.
“After this, would you want him to work for you?” Inquired Patel.
The long-awaited Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket report is imminent. Patel thinks it could show that the Yorkshire case is only the start.
He claimed it might affect cricket worldwide, especially in primarily white cricketing nations like Australia, which has also been plagued by racism and discrimination.
Patel said the research will help distinguish institutional racism from everyday discrimination and spotlight Vaughan and others’ alleged racial remarks towards teammates. Cricket is plagued by institutional and casual racism, he claimed.
“Using the Yorkshire criterion here, the board was largely white, the supporters were primarily white, those who manage the game were primarily white, the bulk of the team was white, and the captain was white,” Patel said.
“They have the power to make judgments, (albeit) with one or two small Asian minorities involved, but the (majority) has the power to do certain things and that’s prejudice. It seems to be a white problem, I’m sad to say.
Rafiq, England spinner Adil Rashid (who spoke at the trial), and former Yorkshire player Rana Naved-ul-Hasan are Muslim, hence Islamophobia is another factor in the claims of racism and prejudice against Yorkshire CCC and the persons involved.
Patel noted that there are “concerning” Islamophobic charges surrounding certain county clubs, such as attitudes toward prayers or systemic drinking practices, but that breaking down examples of discrimination into tiny pieces detracts from the “bigger picture” and wider difficulties in the English game.
Patel believes fundamental education, particularly about Britain’s colonial history, in which cricket played a major role, is the key to solving such a systemic, societal problem in England.
“Unless you study history, we are never taught about things (the UK) has done—which aren’t something we should be proud of,” he remarked. We didn’t do it alone. Let’s not have education stereotypes.”
He also urged for a stop to racist justifications and other unacceptable behavior.
Patel called “changing-room culture” and “banter” rubbish. “It’s misogynistic. There’s racism.
“It’s the 21st century.” What hope do we have?”
Patel highlighted the 2019 World Cup-winning England One Day International squad, led by Irish and English captain Eoin Morgan, to demonstrate his point. In a culture of understanding, the players were encouraged to share their different backgrounds and beliefs.
Patel suggested this for English football’s development. He believes a change in England cricket’s culture is inevitable and that all players must embrace the wave of changing attitudes.
“Embrace those who are with (the) change and take them with us on a journey—and those who aren’t, drag them there,” Patel said.
“We like to throw up barriers, whether geographical or physical, therefore this has to happen. When you lower them, you add, “You know what, when we cut ourselves, we all bleed together.” It’s gradual.
“You must tell people unwilling to change, ‘You must change or you’ll be left behind.’ You’ll discover that most people want to be part of that journey, and while it may be unpleasant, we can go forward.”
Ex-cricketer Nathan Bracken’s Career Change
Original Source: Nathan Bracken’s big change as ex-cricketer has sights set on new career
He was famous for his flowing golden locks and bowling record.
After leaving cricket for politics, Nathan Bracken couldn’t look much different.
In 60 matches, the Australian sporting hero became the second-fastest Australian to reach 100 ODI wickets, after Shane Warne and Dennis Lillee. Only Mitch Starc has surpassed that milestone.
Throughout nine years, Bracken took 186 wickets for Australia in 121 matches.
In the 2019 New South Wales state election, the 45-year-old is running as the Liberal candidate for The Entrance on the Central Coast.
The 6ft 4ins left-arm fast currently has shorter hair with a center parting and more brown than blonde, with some grey.
Bracken wears glasses and has a beard.
He retired from cricket but remains involved as a commentator and coach.
Boral Concrete’s Central Coast account manager is him.
Bracken will face Labor incumbent David Mehan, who has held the seat since 2015 and has a 5.2 percent majority.
The former sportsman ran as an independent in the 2013 federal election and received 8.2% of the primary vote.
In 2017, he failed again as an independent.
The Central Coast needed “a voice” in parliament, Bracken told The Daily Telegraph.
For nearly 20 years, I’ve lived on the Central Coast. A while ago, I decided not to sit around and complain about it. Bracken remarked, “I want to focus on what it can be, the infrastructure, the opportunity that the inhabitants want.”
I supported the Liberals even as an independent.
“What Dominic (Perrottet) has gone through and where he is heading us… going forward, (it’s) a tremendous opportunity to leapfrog out of Covid and put us on the front foot for the future.”
After suffering a knee injury in 2011, Bracken resigned from cricket and sued Cricket Australia.
The organization was irresponsible, deceitful, and in breach of contract, he said. Case resolved.
At his prime, he was one of the world’s best short-form bowlers, playing 116 one-day internationals and 19 T20 internationals for Australia and winning the 2003 and 2007 World Cups.
Unfortunately, he only played five Tests.
Dancing With The Stars pitted Bracken and his wife Haley against each other in 2011.
They have two boys, Chase and Tag.
Mark Wood Doesn’t Think He’ll Play More Than Three Ashes Tests This Summer
Original Source: England fast bowler Mark Wood doubts he will play more than three Ashes Tests against Australia this summer
Wood took 17 wickets at 26.64 in England’s 4-0 defeat in Australia two winters ago, but he has played only three Tests since due to injury and workload management.
“I will definitely not play all five [Ashes Tests] this year,” Wood told reporters in Bangladesh with England’s white-ball team.
“I enjoyed playing four of five in Australia.” “I was knackered, wrecked, drained,” he said, “but that was a big tick in my box to say that in a major series, I can do it, if Stokesy [Ben Stokes] or Baz [coach Brendon McCullum] want me to play
Before the Ashes, which starts at Edgbaston on June 16 and continues at Lord’s, Headingley, Emirates Old Trafford, and The Kia Oval, England’s fast bowlers look powerful.
Wood, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Saqib Mahmood, Olly Stone, and Matthew Potts are among Stokes and McCullum’s choices.
“With the bowling pool we have, especially at home, I probably won’t even play four Tests,” said Wood.
If they need pace, they could want me. If people are playing well, Stokes may want to spice it up, but I may not play.
On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, England’s Mark Wood, second right, celebrates the removal of Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal. (AP Picture)
Image: England’s white-ball team is in Bangladesh with Wood.
Based on how they’ve controlled me, I doubt I’ll play four. I’ll provide three or four if they want.”
Wood stated, “It was amazing, to be honest.”
“It was good to spend some time at home without thinking about cricket.” I’m hungrier now. I’ve played too much in the past.
“The pauses have helped me go longer than in prior years when I tried to play everything.”
“I’ll play for England if they want me, but I’ll rest if they don’t.” I’ll be ready for the next.”
Wood was rested for the fourth ODI in Bangladesh, but he remains in the squad for the three T20 internationals against Bangladesh, which start on Thursday (8.30am on Sky Sports Cricket ahead of the first ball at 9am).
Summary of Today’s Cricket Sports News
Overall, a top sports attorney has predicted that the “get on board or get off” mentality will soon prevail in the fight against racism in England cricket. Legal specialist in the sports, media, and entertainment industries Yasin Patel told Arab News that he hopes the hearing would lead to beneficial changes in the sport.
On the other hand, Nathan Bracken, a former cricket great, is aiming for a new career path by participating in the next New South Wales state election as the Liberal candidate for The Entrance, located on the Central Coast.
Finally, Mark Wood claims that his “knackered, wrecked, and fatigued” state is a result of playing four Ashes Tests in 2021/22, and he does not expect to play in more than three games against Australia this summer.