Racism in cricket - Wisden editorial lifts the lid
Time for action, not words

Hit Racism for Six, the only pressure group campaigning for racial equality in cricket, welcomes remarks on the problem of racism in the game made by the editor of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack and by Lord Taylor at the Wisden annual dinner.

``These comments are a long-overdue first step in addressing the problem of racism in the game,'' said a Hit Racism for Six spokesperson, ``but we have to move beyond general expressions of concern to a programme of action.''

Hit Racism for Six has repeatedly asked the ECB to take concrete positive steps towards promoting racial equality in cricket, including:

1. Commissioning nation-wide, in-depth research to determine the scale and nature of the problem.
2. Convene a national forum of all bodies concerned with black and Asian cricket in order to initiate multi-sided, constructive discussion on the best means of addressing inequalities.
3. In consultation with this forum, draw up a development plan for cricket in the inner-cities, with special reference to black and Asian cricket, and earmark substantial resources for its implementation.
4. Reconsider the ban on banner, flags, musical instruments, etc., at international cricket matches - a ban which excludes both overseas and home-bred cricket cultures.
5. Review ticket sales policy and ticket pricing to ensure these do not exclude black and Asian fans.
6. Adopt and promote a comprehensive anti-racist charter (football already provides a model) at all levels of the game; ban racist abuse of any kind from all cricket grounds.

Hit Racism for Six has been in discussion with the English Sports Council, the Commission for Racial Equality, and the ECB on all these matters. It has also continued its educational work, publishing a bulletin and holding meetings with students, community groups, and cricket clubs. It was instrumental in conceiving and initiating last year's ground-breaking study on race and cricket in Essex, Anyone for Cricket, undertaken by the Centre for Sport Development Research.

On 29 August 1999 Hit Racism for Six, in collaboration with the London Community Cricket Association, will stage its second annual six-a-side tournament at Hainault, in east London. Last year's event was a huge success, drawing participants from all over the country and support from a wide variety of organisations and individuals - including Alec Stewart and Neville Lawrence, the MCC and PCS, the civil service trade union, Chris Smith MP and Christopher Martin-Jenkins. This year's event promises to be bigger and better. Amnesty International has agreed to sponsor our new junior tournament (under-14s).

For more information contact: Ian Macdonald, 0181 392 3537 or 0181 674 7531 or Mike Marqusee 0171 359 3043.

Hit Racism for Six
c/o Centre for Sport Development Research
Roehampton Institute, London
Tel. 0181 392 3537