Azeem Rafiq believes the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) requires an "overhaul" after a report found discrimination was "widespread" throughout the sport.

The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) published findings from a two-year investigation on Tuesday, concluding that racism – alongside other forms of discrimination such as sexism and elitism – was "entrenched" in the sport. 

Rafiq played for Yorkshire over two spells between 2008 and 2018 before becoming a whistleblower over the racism he endured while with the county, facing a backlash for making allegations which played a major role in the investigation's origins. 

Following the release of the ICEC report, Rafiq told Stats Perform the ECB must do better, saying: "I think it [ECB] should be changed in its current form. I don't think the ECB can continue to be a regulator and a promoter.

"There's a hell of a lot of things that have happened and they continue to happen, so I think it needs an overhaul.

"Whether that means being disbanded, coming in a different format, I don't know. But it does need a look. 

"The one thing we can't do is do nothing. Simple as that. This report is damning, so things need to happen."

Among the 44 recommendations made by the commission was that the ECB should apologise to those who had been affected. 

ECB chair Richard Thompson did exactly that in the wake of the findings, outlining an intention to "use this moment to reset cricket".

Rafiq explained only actions, not words, will make cricket a more welcoming place for those subjected to discrimination. 

"Look, thanks for the apology," Rafiq said. "I find it uncomfortable to praise it. I don't see Richard Thompson as an individual, he's representing the game. 

"The game has done this to a lot of people. So I think the least they could do is apologise. But it's what happens after the apology that matters the most."

Azeem Rafiq was left with "mixed emotions" after a report into English and Welsh cricket found discrimination to be "widespread".

The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) published its findings from a two-year investigation on Tuesday, concluding that racism – alongside other forms of discrimination such as sexism and elitism – was "entrenched" in the sport. 

Rafiq, who played for Yorkshire over two spells between 2008 and 2018 before becoming a whistleblower over the racism he faced while with the county, spoke of his "sadness and anger" following the release of the report, though he remains hopeful of a brighter future for the sport.

"I got briefed yesterday [on the report's findings]," Rafiq told Stats Perform. "[It is] mixed emotions, you know, a bit of sadness, a bit of anger.

"Naturally, I'm a human being, and the question I ask myself is, 'why have I had to go through the mill when this data is there in numbers for everyone to see?'

"I just wanted to thank the commissioner Cindy Butts and her team. It's been an important piece of work. They've stayed strong and they've really given cricket an opportunity and I just want to thank them.

"For over 4,000 people who built up the courage to talk about their experiences, I hope this gives them a bit of closure. 

"A lot of my experiences are about race. But there's a lot in there, a lot about elitism, classism, sexism, misogyny. It's important to understand that this is way, way, way wider than my experiences."

Rafiq revealed he was frustrated by the lack of response from his former team-mates and other players, saying: "If I'm being very honest, I think the players have shown exactly where the game is in terms of a lack of acceptance.

"These are people that I know very closely, and I've not heard a single thing. It's been upsetting me. I'm not going to lie. 

"The players are the role models. The players are the big names and they need to drive this. It needs to be with actions as opposed to PR initiatives.

"There's a lot going on behind the scenes that's been tough, and one of the things is fellow players and their lack of acceptance of how we, as people of colour, have suffered.

"Even this morning, I read an article from Michael Atherton, using his platform to try and undermine, downplay the abuse that we've all suffered. 

"It's sad, it's upsetting. I hope we can take Michael and his friends on a journey of education, of what it's like to live in these shoes."

Michael Vaughan's lawyers have accused the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) of being biased in their investigation against the former England captain.

Vaughan was charged with bringing the game into disrepute for allegedly saying there were "too many of you lot", referring to Asian players prior to Yorkshire's T20 match against Nottinghamshire in 2009.

Christopher Stoner KC, representing Vaughan, claimed his client was denied "due process" during the ECB's investigations into the allegations.

Stoner also labelled the investigation "wholly and woefully inadequate" as the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) hearings concluded with closing submissions in London on Tuesday.

"The investigation was wholly inadequate," Stoner said. "Due process matters and is the cornerstone of law.

"In our submission it was sent on holiday by the ECB. It raises a real question of fairness [of this investigation]. Mr Vaughan has not been accorded fairness."

ECB lead counsel Jane Mulcahy focused on a series of historic tweets made by Vaughan in her closing submission.

"If a person has a tendency to make racist comments, they have a tendency to make racist comments," Mulcahy said.

"Although Michael Vaughan now purports to be a changed character, Vaughan in 2009 was the same person who shortly afterwards (in 2010) sent two tweets complaining about foreigners… [he] still held the same 'unacceptable' views seven years later when he sent further tweets concerning Muslims and potential terrorism… the supposedly lighthearted but offensive expression in the tweets is very similar in tone to the comment made on 22 June 2009."

Stoner pointed to the testimony of Ajmal Shahzad, one of the four players Vaughan was alleged to have made the comment about, who said that Vaughan "wasn’t that way inclined" to making racist comments as important counter evidence.

Vaughan's defence team went on the offensive with a 32-page closing written submission and a 22-page storyboard of Sky's footage of the pre-game huddle from that day.

Stoner said of the footage: "[It is] Inherently improbable that such serious and unacceptable words were spoken to team-mates just as a game was starting, in the presence of a cameraman and almost certainly a microphone."

Mulcahy also defended the ECB's investigation from Stoner's claims of inadequacy, labelling it an "extraordinary amount of bitter and inaccurate correspondence".

Former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq says the sport needs outside regulation amid the continued fallout from its racism scandal after he returned to England to testify, saying he feels very little has changed.

The 31-year-old, who has moved to Pakistan, was speaking at a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee over a year on from his previous revelations on racial abuse in the game.

Rafiq's comments forced mass resignations at Yorkshire, with several players, executives and coaches leaving their roles amid the fallout of his disclosures, some of whom had been sanctioned.

But he says cricket at large remains "in denial", and that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is in need of an independent body to rule on such matters.

"[The ECB] have a difficult situation where in one sense they're a promoter and need to show the game in a good light, but then you’ve got to regulate on things that don't make the game look so good," he stated on Tuesday.

"It's become evidently clear that issues of this stature are something that an independent regulator needs to be brought in for.

"Structurally, even if they want to deal with stuff, the structure doesn't allow them to. It always comes across that the victims are pushing and there's always an excuse not to act.

"There is still a group of people out there that feel like cricket is the victim in this. The way I have been attacked and abused - why would you [as a victim] speak out?

"Unfortunately what it feels like is that cricket is very much in denial. I would love to come here and tell you how much cricket has changed.

"But if I was to look at 13 months on from me opening my heart out, all that has changed really is that me and my family have been driven out of the country - and that's a sad element of it.

"I have got a little hope in the new [ECB] leadership, but it is very little at the minute."

Former England man Gary Ballance - who admitted last year to using racist language in reference to Rafiq - was recently released from his contract with Yorkshire.

Rafiq accepted an apology from Ballance earlier this year and called for the batter to be allowed to move on and continue his career.

Ballance has penned a two-year deal to play domestic cricket in Zimbabwe as well as international cricket for his native country starting next year. He could make his senior debut for the team in a red-ball series with Ireland in January.

Azeem Rafiq refuted fresh allegations of anti-semitism and homophobia against him as "categorically untrue", with the former Yorkshire bowler saying he will "not be intimidated" by the claims.

The ex-spinner was found to have been racially harassed during his time at the club following an investigation in the wake of his own allegations in 2020, with several key figures subsequently resigning.

Yet he has been dogged by claims of his own misconduct, and was reprimanded earlier this month for historic social media posts, to which he offered an unreserved apology.

Fresh claims from the Daily Mail have now levelled allegations of further anti-semitism and homophobia, alongside reportedly fat-shaming children, which he strongly denied.

"These allegations are categorically untrue," he stated. "I knew as a whistleblower I would come under attack.

"What I did not expect was a never-ending, co-ordinated campaign of lies, which has caused serious risk to me and my family's safety.

"I have been vindicated over and over again, and will not be intimidated by those who seek to silence me."

Rafiq indicated this month he would move abroad over fears for his family's safety following his decision to speak out, having been subjected to further abuse and intimidation.

Former England batsman Gary Ballance has issued an apology to Azeem Rafiq for using racist language against him during their time at Yorkshire together.

The top-order left-hander, who has played 23 Tests for the national team and was a member of their 2015 Cricket World Cup squad, admitted he had used a racial slur in reference to Rafiq in late 2021.

Ballance has previously expressed regret over his language, which were revealed follow Rafiq's 2020 reveal that discrimination at the club left him feeling suicidal.

Now, he has met with his ex-team-mate to tell him he is sorry in person, with the pair issuing a joint statement on their meeting.

"I have wanted to meet Azeem in person for quite some time, but I had to make sure I was in a good place when I did so," Ballance said.

"Azeem has been through similar mental health challenges and understands why this has taken me a little time.

"I apologise unreservedly to Azeem for the words I used when we played together. I did use unacceptable - at times, racist - language. If I had realised how much this hurt Azeem, I would have stopped immediately.

"That's why I wanted to meet him this week and be clear in person that I intended no malice. That's not an excuse, I realise that the language I used was wrong.

"I have accepted, from the outset, the words I used were wrong and I hope this statement brings Azeem some comfort.

"There is no place in our sport for this behaviour and I am determined to play my part in ridding the game from racism and make it more inclusive. To do this we all need to be honest and learn from our past mistakes."

Rafiq meanwhile has called for Ballance - currently suspended by the ECB from selection and only recently returned to the Yorkshire fold - to be allowed to continue his career, calling his apology "brave".

"From day one of opening up about my experiences, all I ever wanted was acceptance and apologies for what happened," he added.

"Gary has been brave to admit the truth and I understand why the mental strain has made it difficult for him to make this apology any sooner.

"Gary must be applauded for his honesty and unreserved apology and must now be allowed to get on with his life.

"Gary got things wrong, so did many people. The main issue is cricket's institutional racism. Gary's courage means he is now part of the solution. I hope he can be allowed to get on with his cricket.

"I would like to thank Gary. He has done cricket and the fight against racism a great service with these words. I would also like to thank those who have been in contact with me privately to apologise for what they witnessed.

"It's a good time for those who were bystanders to reflect on whether they could have done the same or even spoken publicly about what they saw."

Former England batsman Gary Ballance has issued an apology to Azeem Rafiq for using racist language against him during their time at Yorkshire together.

The top-order left-hander, who has played 23 Tests for the national team and was a member of their 2015 Cricket World Cup squad, admitted he had used a racial slur in reference to Rafiq in late 2021.

Ballance has previously expressed regret over his language, which were revealed follow Rafiq's 2020 reveal that discrimination at the club left him feeling suicidal.

Now, he has met with his ex-team-mate to tell him he is sorry in person, with the pair issuing a joint statement on their meeting.

"I have wanted to meet Azeem in person for quite some time, but I had to make sure I was in a good place when I did so," Ballance said.

"Azeem has been through similar mental health challenges and understands why this has taken me a little time.

"I apologise unreservedly to Azeem for the words I used when we played together. I did use unacceptable - at times, racist - language. If I had realised how much this hurt Azeem, I would have stopped immediately.

"That's why I wanted to meet him this week and be clear in person that I intended no malice. That's not an excuse, I realise that the language I used was wrong.

"I have accepted, from the outset, the words I used were wrong and I hope this statement brings Azeem some comfort.

"There is no place in our sport for this behaviour and I am determined to play my part in ridding the game from racism and make it more inclusive. To do this we all need to be honest and learn from our past mistakes."

Rafiq meanwhile has called for Ballance - currently suspended by the ECB from selection and only recently returned to the Yorkshire fold - to be allowed to continue his career, calling his apology "brave".

"From day one of opening up about my experiences, all I ever wanted was acceptance and apologies for what happened," he added.

"Gary has been brave to admit the truth and I understand why the mental strain has made it difficult for him to make this apology any sooner.

"Gary must be applauded for his honesty and unreserved apology and must now be allowed to get on with his life.

"Gary got things wrong, so did many people. The main issue is cricket's institutional racism. Gary's courage means he is now part of the solution. I hope he can be allowed to get on with his cricket.

"I would like to thank Gary. He has done cricket and the fight against racism a great service with these words. I would also like to thank those who have been in contact with me privately to apologise for what they witnessed.

"It's a good time for those who were bystanders to reflect on whether they could have done the same or even spoken publicly about what they saw."

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has charged Yorkshire County Cricket Club and a "number of individuals" in relation to the racism case involving former player Azeem Rafiq.

Rafiq suffered racial harassment and bullying while at Yorkshire, which was eventually brought to light and taken in front of a parliamentary select committee in November.

The former off-spinner also accused Yorkshire and English cricket of being institutionally racist, with several high-profile figures at the county either resigning or being dismissed over the handling of the allegations.

Kamlesh Patel replaced previous chairman Roger Hutton, former England bowler Darren Gough was named director of cricket after the dismissal of Martyn Moxon, and Ottis Gibson was appointed head coach in January as the replacement for the sacked Andrew Gale.

The ECB began an investigation into the allegations and provided an update on Wednesday, saying the club and individuals had been charged.

"Yorkshire County Cricket Club and a number of individuals have today been charged following an ECB investigation into racism and other allegations at the club and its handling of those allegations," the statement read.

"The charges arise from alleged breaches of ECB Directive 3.3 (conduct which is improper or which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the ECB, the game of cricket or any cricketer into disrepute) and the ECB Anti-Discrimination Code. 

"An independent panel of the Cricket Discipline Commission will hear the cases in due course.

"The ECB's investigation has been thorough and complex, with the allegations covering a significant period of time and a number of witnesses and other individuals coming forward to share their own experiences and allegations. The ECB is grateful to all those who have taken the time to speak with the investigating team.

"In matters of this nature, our normal practice is not to identify individuals charged at this stage. This decision is taken on a case-by-case basis. It is, however, standard practice for the CDC disciplinary panel to publish its decisions and written reasons in full following the hearing.

"There will be no further comment until the hearing has taken place and the decisions published. We currently expect the hearing to take place in September or October 2022."

England star Moeen Ali admitted he would be open to joining Yorkshire, but not as a "publicity stunt" following the ongoing rebuild at Headingley after the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal.

Moeen has played for Worcestershire for 15 years and has captained the side, but his contract expires at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old has also made his intentions to return to Test cricket with England clear, announcing he was "officially unretired" after a conversation with new coach Brendon McCullum.

Yorkshire are reportedly interested in the all-rounder to bolster their white-ball side and County Championship outfit.

Widespread change is still ongoing at Headingley, with chairman Kamlesh Patel, director of cricket Darren Gough and coach Ottis Gibson appointed to oversee improvements.

The changes came after Rafiq suffered racial harassment and bullying while at Yorkshire, which was eventually brought to light and taken in front of a parliamentary select committee last November.

The former off-spinner also accused his former club and England of being institutionally racist, with several high-profile figures at the county resigning or being dismissed over the handling of the allegations.

Moeen insists that a move to Yorkshire would only be for "cricketing reasons" as he discussed his future.

"This is my last year at Worcester. I'm talking to them, I'm talking to other counties. I do love playing for Worcester, I've been there 15 years now," Moeen told BBC's Test Match Special.

"I moved from Warwickshire and they obviously helped me develop my game, play for England, but when the time comes I'll make a decision.

"I think Yorkshire are doing a good job and will continue to do that. I don't think they need to sign me to make it a publicity stunt, almost. If I ever left, it would be for cricketing reasons."

Headingley will be able to host international matches after Yorkshire County Cricket Club members passed a series of special resolutions.

The iconic ground in Leeds had been prevented from staging England games in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) then last month lifted its suspension on Yorkshire hosting international and major matches, provided certain conditions are met.

Yorkshire held an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) at Headingley on Thursday, with members overwhelmingly passing three special resolutions 

England will therefore face New Zealand in a Test at Headingley that starts on June 23, before taking on South Africa in an ODI in Leeds on July 24.

Yorkshire chairman Lord Kamlesh Patel said: "We welcome the outcome of this EGM and thank the Members for their full and proper consideration, an open exchange of views, and their votes.

“It is an overwhelming vote for positive change.

“This support will help Yorkshire County Cricket Club to be an inclusive and welcoming place and gives us the clarity and certainty we need to keep building this great club.

“Yorkshire has now met the ECB’s conditions for the return of international cricket and, working with them, we’ll deliver some great events here at Headingley this summer.

“We’re looking forward to the start of the season, for all our teams and for cricket at all levels right across this county.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has lifted its suspension on Yorkshire hosting international and major matches in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal, as long as certain conditions are met.

Yorkshire were suspended from hosting England games back in November.

Rafiq suffered racial harassment and bullying while at Yorkshire, which was eventually brought to light and taken in front of a parliamentary select committee.

Yorkshire have since undergone wholesale change. Kamlesh Patel has replaced Roger Hutton as chairman, while former England bowler Darren Gough has taken charge after the dismissal of director of cricket Martyn Moxon.

Ottis Gibson was appointed head coach in January, replacing Andrew Gale, who was sacked.

Subsequently, the ECB confirmed on Friday that England games due to be played at Headingley in 2022 will now take place in Leeds as initially planned.

However, this is subject to further conditions being met by the end of March.

England are scheduled to face New Zealand in a Test in June and an ODI against South Africa in July, while Headingley is also due to host an Ashes Test in 2023.

"The board welcomed the hard work and actions taken by Yorkshire towards putting the club on a new path," said ECB interim chair and cricket non-executive director Barry O'Brien.

"Alongside the progress already made, we considered many factors in reaching our decision. Amongst them, the impact on fans who have bought tickets in good faith and the young people who will benefit from Yorkshire's improved outreach and pathway provisions.

"Finally, the board was mindful that the return of international cricket will support continued change and progress at the club.

"I very much hope that the traumatic events that have taken place at Yorkshire over the past several months and years will act as a catalyst for increasing the pace of change throughout the game."

The requirements Yorkshire must fulfil by March 31 are "to resolve the issues relating to rule changes and decisions at the club which have been subject to procedural flaws and to show amendments to club rules relating to the appointment and operation of the board, including removal of Graves Trust powers."

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has lifted its suspension on Yorkshire hosting international and major matches in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal, as long as certain conditions are met.

Yorkshire were suspended from hosting England games back in November.

Rafiq suffered racial harassment and bullying while at Yorkshire, which was eventually brought to light and taken in front of a parliamentary select committee.

Yorkshire have since undergone wholesale change. Kamlesh Patel has replaced Roger Hutton as chairman, while former England bowler Darren Gough has taken charge after the dismissal of director of cricket Martyn Moxon.

Ottis Gibson was appointed head coach in January, replacing Andrew Gale, who was sacked.

Subsequently, the ECB confirmed on Friday that England games due to be played at Headingley in 2022 will now take place in Leeds as initially planned.

However, this is subject to further conditions being met by the end of March.

England are scheduled to face New Zealand in a Test in June and an ODI against South Africa in July, while Headingley is also due to host an Ashes Test in 2023.

"The board welcomed the hard work and actions taken by Yorkshire towards putting the club on a new path," said ECB interim chair and cricket non-executive director Barry O'Brien.

"Alongside the progress already made, we considered many factors in reaching our decision. Amongst them, the impact on fans who have bought tickets in good faith and the young people who will benefit from Yorkshire's improved outreach and pathway provisions.

"Finally, the board was mindful that the return of international cricket will support continued change and progress at the club.

"I very much hope that the traumatic events that have taken place at Yorkshire over the past several months and years will act as a catalyst for increasing the pace of change throughout the game."

The requirements Yorkshire must fulfil by March 31 are "to resolve the issues relating to rule changes and decisions at the club which have been subject to procedural flaws and to show amendments to club rules relating to the appointment and operation of the board, including removal of Graves Trust powers."

Azeem Rafiq insisted he will be the first to support Yorkshire should they make changes following the racism scandal at the club, while reflecting on how he coped with the ordeal.

Rafiq suffered racial harassment and bullying while at Yorkshire, which was eventually brought to light and taken in front of a parliamentary select committee in November.

The former off-spinner also accused his former club and England of being institutionally racist, with several high-profile figures at the county either resigning or being dismissed over the handling of the allegations.

Kamlesh Patel is leading the change at Yorkshire after replacing former chairman Roger Hutton, while former England bowler Darren Gough has taken charge after the dismissal of director of cricket Martyn Moxon.

Ottis Gibson was appointed head coach on Wednesday as the replacement for the sacked Andrew Gale and Rafiq reiterated support for the club on the condition that he sees positive change.

He told Stats Perform: "I've said this a few times, from day one I've been clear with Lord Patel. If I see an acceptance and intention, and a will to move in a different direction and change.

"They're not going to get everything right, there's going to be missteps on the way. But as long as I see an intention to change, I will be the first one supporting it. 

"I've seen that from day one to be honest. There are a lot of positive things happening at the club and hopefully a lot more to come.

"If people apologise, then there should be a second chance and they should be allowed to change. It's really important that when we're asking individuals or institutions to change when they do try that we support them and not make it harder for them. 

"Look, the people that continue to deny that, that's up to them. But it's important that we just continue making sure that the cause is at the forefront of everything that we do. 

"I think I've come to accept that this could potentially be my life now."

Rafiq himself was found to have made offensive remarks after anti-Semitic messages he sent in 2011 resurfaced, an act he again apologised for.

"I don't know how I've coped," he added. "But I'm still here, still breathing, still fighting it. Look, there are a few things that have happened. 

"As I've said several times, and the anti-Semitic messages that surfaced from myself as a young lad are something that makes me really angry. 

"Something I'm really disappointed in myself about, and I've tried my best to apologise to the Jewish community and also trying to spend more time learning about their culture which I'll continue to do.

"But some of the other things that have happened and continue to happen behind the scenes have been outrageous, to be honest. 

"It's been difficult because it's got to the point where there have been concerns around my family's physical safety."

Despite his efforts to tell of the troubling experiences that he encountered, Rafiq believes cricket remains in denial of the racial issues within the sport.

"As the DCMS [Department for Culture, Media and Sport] report said, the fact that there was a need for a South Asian action plan just shows that the ECB and the game have been fully well aware of the issue," he continued. 

"There is an action plan from 1999, if I'm not wrong, which is readily available online, which shows that there has been an issue for a very long time. Everyone has been aware of it but not wanted to do anything about it.

"It just says everything that it needs to say. That it's taken someone to basically sacrifice their life, in a way, and their future, potentially, to bring this to the forefront. 

"The worrying thing for me is how little I still feel that the game has listened since the DCMS. I still feel like the game is in serious denial. 

"I have serious concerns that the game is going to try and look at some of the other issues that it has, [and] there's a lot of them, to try and forget about inclusivity and diversity."

Yorkshire have appointed former West Indies all-rounder and coach Ottis Gibson on a three-year deal.

The 52-year-old takes charge following the departure of Andrew Gale and the rest of the coaching staff late last year, which came after an investigation into claims made by Azeem Rafiq.

"I'm extremely honoured and excited to be given the opportunity to join Yorkshire County Cricket Club as head coach," he said.

"This is one of the most prestigious roles in English County Cricket, and I am really looking forward to working with this talented group of players to take the club forward. I've spoken at length with Goughy [Darren Gough] about the direction the club is heading in and I'm excited to be a part of that future."

A 100-page independent report in early November upheld allegations by Rafiq that he had been the victim of "racial harassment and bullying" during his time at Yorkshire.

Former chairman Roger Hutton resigned with immediate effect over the club's handling of the investigation, with Kamlesh Patel stepping into the role.

Chief executive Mark Arthur then followed Hutton in resigning, while Yorkshire later announced that they were parting ways with their entire coaching and medical team, including first-team coach Andrew Gale and director of cricket Martyn Moxon.

Former England bowler Gough was appointed as interim managing director and tasked with appointing new coaching staff as a priority.

Gibson, who will take charge from the end of February, was in charge of the West Indies side that won the T20 World Cup in 2012, having also served as South Africa head coach and bowling coach for England and Bangladesh.

An experienced county cricket player who also appeared in two Tests and 15 ODIs for the West Indies, Gibson also worked with England during two Ashes series wins.

He will join up with Yorkshire once his deal with the Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League expires next month.

Patel said he hoped the appointment of Gibson would "encourage dialogue and help foster a culture of inclusion at the club, as well as supporting and developing the world-class talent we have here and pushing them to the next level".

"His playing and coaching credentials speak for themselves and he has had a distinguished career performing at the highest level," he said.

"Ottis' character and his commitment to buying into the process that we are going through at Yorkshire County Cricket Club shone through in our discussions."

Gough said: "Ottis is one of the best coaches in the world and will be a fantastic addition. His knowledge, commitment, experience and cricket know-how will be vital for us as we move into pre-season and get ourselves up and running.

"We were absolutely blown away by the level of interest and quality of candidates for this role, but I have no doubt that he's the best person for the job and will pick up the challenge with relish."

Azeem Rafiq believes that Yorkshire has "taken a step in the right direction" following last year's racism scandal and should be allowed to host England games once again.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club was suspended by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) from hosting international cricket in November in response to the county's handing of allegations of institutional racism made by Rafiq.

However, the former spin bowler - who had two spells with the team between 2008 and 2018 - has said the county has "done enough" to warrant having that suspension lifted.

The ECB said at the time of the suspension that it would remain until Yorkshire "clearly demonstrated that it can meet the standards expected".

Several high-profile figures at the county either resigned or were sacked over the handling of the allegations.

Former chairman Roger Hutton has been replaced by Lord Patel, while director of cricket Martyn Moxon has been succeeded by former Yorkshire and England fast bowler Darren Gough.

Chief executive Mark Arthur also resigned, and first-team coach Andrew Gale was sacked.

"I want to see England playing at Headingley this summer," Rafiq wrote in the Daily Mail. 

"At first in all this, I believed international cricket should be taken away from them, but they have done enough to warrant getting it back, for now at least.

"They should be given back the international cricket so vital to their very survival.

"If we are asking an institution to look at itself, then we should recognise when it begins to show it is genuinely sorry and attempts to start putting things right.

"Yorkshire need to be supported and helped to move in that right direction."

The third Test against world champions New Zealand that had been scheduled to take place at Headingley before the suspension was imposed begins on June 23.

Rafiq also spoke highly of the appointment of Gough as director of cricket at Yorkshire, citing their previous relationship as team-mates.

"It's no secret we are friends since he was one of my first captains and we have always stayed in touch," he added.

"I'm encouraged by his involvement, not least because the game needs people like him back directly involved."

Rafiq said at a DCMS select committee hearing in November that he believed English cricket to be "institutionally racist", and again emphasised that more change is needed in the game, not just at his former county.

"I am not saying everything is now hunky-dory at my old county and we can all move on," he said.

"Yorkshire must be kept under review to make sure this really is the start of something important and meaningful - everything is not fine yet, not by a long way.

"It just seems outside the county everyone wants to throw the book at Yorkshire and my concern is some want to do that in order to make themselves look better or deflect attention away from their [own] issues.

"I don't agree with that because it will not drive change.

"There are thousands of cases outside Yorkshire and what is happening to them today could easily happen to another county tomorrow."

An ECB investigation into the allegations is ongoing.