The return of Colin Graves to Yorkshire would “undermine the progress” the game has made against racism and “make a mockery” of those who have suffered in the past, according to the Sporting Equals charity.
Sporting Equals, which promotes ethnic diversity in UK Sport, has issued a strongly-worded open letter about Graves’ potential reinstatement at Headingley.
Graves was Yorkshire chair between 2012 and 2015, before taking the same role at the England and Wales Cricket Board, and heads a consortium in ongoing talks with the debt-ridden county.
The 75-year-old’s previous Yorkshire tenure covered part of a period where the club have admitted charges of failing to address the systemic use of racist or discriminatory language.
For his part Graves denies knowledge of any racist behaviour during his time but controversially suggested there was “a lot of banter”.
Addressing their concerns to sports minister Stuart Andrew, the ECB, county cricket clubs and sports, Sporting Equals wrote: “Cricket has been making an effort to combat racism over the past few years.
“Since Azeem Rafiq publicly exposed the deep systemic problems the ECB, amongst others, have taken action to address these issues.
“However, the potential reinstatement of Colin Graves as chairman of Yorkshire County Cricket Club would undermine the progress made.
“His reinstatement would send a message that emboldens those who perpetuate the myth that racism is simply banter, that it is enough to pay lip service to policies and procedures.
“It would make a mockery of the suffering of ethnically diverse players across the country. It would be a rejection of the ICEC Report’s thorough investigation and well-considered conclusions. This progress must not be stunted.”
The organisation then calls for a five-point plan to be adopted, starting with an independent fit and proper person test for prospective owners.
The other suggestions include a disqualification process “to rid the game of bad actors” and mandatory inclusivity training for those in leadership roles.
Rafiq, writing in the Observer over the weekend, appealed for sponsors to stand against Graves.
He said “There is still time for them to act, to leave now and stop Yorkshire stepping back in time and undoing what progress they have made in the past three years.”
Meanwhile Clive Efford, a member of the Culture, Media and Sport committee, told the PA news agency last week that Graves’ return would be “a disaster for cricket” and a “retrograde step”.
PA has contacted Yorkshire for comment.
UWI, Mona principal launches biography on cricket legend Sir Richie Richardson
In an extraordinary moment celebrating one of the Caribbean’s cricketing greats, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, Professor Densil A. Williams, bridged academia with sports history, launching his much-anticipated biography of former West Indies captain, Sir Richard Benjamin “Richie” Richardson. The book was unveiled in Antigua at Casa Palmadita, Fitches Creek, marking a significant tribute to the living legend whose contributions on and off the pitch continue to resonate throughout the Caribbean.
As the author of Richie Richardson, the latest installment in UWI Press’ Caribbean Biography Series, Professor Williams embraced the challenge of telling the personal and professional story of the former West Indies captain. Known for his meticulous research in international business, Professor Williams applied the same dedication to documenting the cricketing icon’s professional and personal journey.
The book was officially launched by Sir Rodney Williams, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda. Sir Rodney described Williams as an outstanding academic and praised him for his academic excellence and for the meticulous way in which he captured the work and life of Sir Richie Richardson. The launch event also included remark from Hon Daryll Matthew, Minister of Education, Sport and Creative Industries, Antigua and Barbuda.
A wide cross-section of persons from business, government, academic and the public service attended the launch event.
The book, as part of the Caribbean Biography Series, aims to immortalize one of the region’s significant sporting figures, Sir Richard Benjamin Richardson. It traces his beginnings as a humble school boy in the Five Islands Village in Antigua and Barbuda where the 5th Campus of The UWI is now located, to his major accomplishments as a global sports superstar, an accomplished business man, a husband, father and grandfather, to being an ambassador for his country, Antigua and Barbuda. The book is a must-read for cricket enthusiasts as it provides a gripping account of Richie’s time as player and captain of the West Indies team.
The book Richie Richardson by Densil A. Williams is now available at www.uwipress.com, inviting readers worldwide to explore the life and legacy of one of the Caribbean's most cherished cricketing heroes.
Reddy and Singh seal T20I series win against Bangladesh
Rinku Singh's explosive half-century and Nitish Kumar Reddy's maiden 50 helped India to an 83-run victory in their second match of their T20I series against Bangladesh.
Singh reached 50 runs in just 26 deliveries before being bowled out by Taskin Ahmed, with India making light of the tourists' batting order to claim an unassailable advantage.
India started poorly during the Powerplay, losing Sanju Samson (10), Abhishek Sharma (15) and Suryakumar Yadav (eight) inside the opening six overs.
However, a 108-run stand from Reddy (74) and Singh (53) steadied the ship, before the former was bowled out by Mustafizur Rahman (2-36).
Hardik Pandya's 32 runs helped India battle through the closing stages as they ended their innings 221-9, handing the tourists an uphill task to seal an unlikely victory.
And Bangladesh replicated the hosts' poor start with the bat, with their run chase seeing Parvez Hossain Emon (16), Najmul Hossain Shanto (11) and Litton Das (14) fall early.
Mahmudullah's knock of 41 proved in vain as the wickets continued to tumble around him, with Bangladesh ending 135-9 and hoping to avoid a series whitewash in the final match on Saturday.
Data Debrief: Reddy takes centre stage
At the age of 21 years and 136 days, Reddy is the fourth-youngest player to hit a maiden T20I half-century for India.
Current Indian skipper for Tests and ODIs, Rohit Sharma, was the youngest to hit a maiden T20I 50 for India at the age of 20 years and 143 days against South Africa in 2007.
In only his second T20I, Reddy scored a brilliant 74 in just 34 balls, with four boundaries and seven sixes. His runs came at a strike rate of 217.65.
Root targets 'many more runs' as Cook backs England great to set all-time record
Joe Root is targeting "many more runs" after overtaking Alastair Cook as England's all-time leading Test run-scorer.
The 33-year-old surpassed Cook's previous high of 12,472 on day three of the first Test against Pakistan on Wednesday.
Root reached the mark by piling on 71 runs in the blistering Multan heat and reached 176 not out at the end of play with England 492-3.
"I'm obviously proud but still feel there is plenty more left to do, and many more runs left to get," Root is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
"More than anything, the way we played as a team is what stands out - we've got ourselves back in a really good position."
Root's 12,578 runs consist of 35 centuries, 1,355 fours and 44 sixes, coming across 146 matches.
He is now fifth on the all-time list of run-scorers across all nations, with only Rahul Dravid (13,288), Jacques Kallis (13,289), Ricky Ponting (13,378) and Sachin Tendulkar (15,921) ahead of him.
And with time still on his side age-wise, Cook has backed the man who took his England record to overtake each of those legendary names.
"I would be betting on Root to do it," Cook told Test Match Special. "I don't see Root losing that hunger and ability to keep driving himself forward for the next couple of years.
"He's just this consistent run-scoring machine. There are other geniuses who can play genius innings, but Root is a genius with consistency."
England have never conceded as many as Pakistan's 556 and gone on to take a first-innings lead, but they trail by just 64 runs heading into day four.
"We've still got an opportunity to win the game, which is really exciting," Root added. "Hopefully we can kick on tomorrow."
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