2024
ECB Updates Inspiring Generations Strategy and Launches Five Additional Action Plans
The ECB launched the updated Inspiring Generations strategy, setting out its vision for the game over the next four years.
Also launched were:
- EDI Action Plan
- Ethnically Diverse Communities Action Plan
- State School Action Plan
- Talent Pathway Action Plan
- Volunteer Action Plan
ECB Publishes One-Year on Update on Delivering ICEC Recommendations
One year on from the response to the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) report, the ECB updated on the progress made against the actions it set out to become a more inclusive sport.
First SACA Graduate Earns England Call Up
The South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) celebrated Jafer Chohan's call up to the England Men's squad as their first graduate to earn an international cap.
SACA work to provide opportunities for players from South Asian communities and Jafer's journey from the academy to the international stage is a shining example of their work in action.
Launch of the Grass Pitch Improvement Fund
The Fund will help cricket to tackle inequalities around access to safe, good quality grass cricket pitches across England and Wales.
Launch of The Metro Bank Girls in Cricket Fund
The England and Wales Cricket Board and partner Metro Bank announce new fund directly aimed at women and girl's coaching and volunteering.
Eight new professional women's teams
The ECB confirmed the eight First Class Counties who have been successful in their bid to be awarded Tier 1 women’s team status from 2025. In addition, two additional First Class Counties were named to expand Tier 1 from eight to ten teams by 2027, and the ECB announced an intent to grow to 12 teams by the 2029 season.
£35m Government funding
Government announce £35m in grassroots cricket facilities and widening access to the sport within state schools, enabling over 900,000 young people to play cricket over the next five years.
Players use sign language to promote anti-discrimination messaging
ECB announces that this summer all the first-class venues in England and Wales will feature players using BSL on the big screens to promote anti-discrimination messaging.
ICEC progress update published
The ECB publishes an update on progress so far in delivering the actions pledged in response to the ICEC report.
Plans unveiled to take women's professional game to next level
The ECB announces the creation of a three-tiered domestic competition structure and a shift in the ownership model underpinning the women’s professional game. It is also confirmed that the ECB will invest a further £4m-£5m per year into the women’s professional game from 2025-2028, taking the annual investment in this space to c.£16m. An extra £1m is also committed to women’s salaries in The Hundred, taking the top salary for women’s players to £50,000 – up from £15,000 in the first year of the competition.
Record participation in disability cricket
The ECB reports a 70% increase in participation by disabled people since pre-COVID levels. A record number of disability cricket fixtures (269) are scheduled to take place in 2024, and there has been a 46% increase in participating teams since 2022.
2023
2022
2021
ECB extends partnership with Lord’s Taverners to make disability cricket accessible in every county
An expanded partnership between the Lord’s Taverners and the ECB sees a commitment to expand the Super 1s disability cricket programme to every county and improves the sustainability of table cricket – aiming to increase participation, inspire social change and empower tens of thousands more young people to fulfil their potential and build life skills through the sport. The game changing £2m partnership is part of the biggest investment into a disability cricket programme.
Graces CC and Unicorns CC compete in historic LGBTQ+ cricket match
The two clubs make history by competing in what is believed to be the first cricket match played between two wholly inclusive LGBTQ+ cricket clubs. The game is supported by the ECB, with the ECB Association of Cricket Officials providing officials for the day.
The Hundred launches to throw cricket’s doors open
More than 16million watch the first year of England and Wales cricket’s newest competition The Hundred, with eight city-based teams competing in double-header men’s and women’s contests. The competition features equal prize money for men and women, has smashed attendance records for women’s cricket and has attracting a broader audience to the game, with high numbers of female ticket buyers and junior tickets.
Cricket comes together to launch 12 point plan to tackle racism and discrimination and foster inclusivity
The ECB and the wider game comes together to commit to a 12-point, game-wide action plan to tackle racism and all forms of discrimination in the game and to promote equity, diversity and inclusion at all levels. The plan includes a list of actions focussing on areas where further improvements are needed including understanding and educating more; addressing dressing room culture; removing barriers in talent pathways; and creating welcoming environments for all.
Disability Cricket Champion Clubs
Launched in 2021, the Champion Club initiative has grown year-on-year, providing support for cricket clubs to develop regular inclusive cricket provision for disabled cricketers.
2020
Dynamos Cricket programme announced for 8-11 year olds
A new programme to get children aged 8-11 playing cricket is launched, accompanied by an app with games and activities. The first year is disrupted by the Covid pandemic, with the programme getting under way fully in 2021.
First women’s professional domestic contracts awarded
The first 25 professional women’s domestic cricketers are announced, with the number swelling to 40 later in the year. These are the first professional contracts for women cricketers in this country outside the England central contracts. At the same time, Girls’ Regional Academies launch to underpin the women’s domestic structure and strengthen the Girls’ talent development pathway offer.
ECB sets out next stage in broadening Inclusion and Diversity Strategy
The ECB announces a range of action to strengthen its inclusion and diversity strategy and continue the change needed to make cricket a game for everyone. This includes coaching bursaries for budding Black coaches, and steps to further increase diversity in governance across the game.
ECB announces Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket
ECB announces decision to establish an Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) to evaluate the state of equity in cricket and expose the realities of people’s experiences within cricket. In March 2021, Cindy Butts is announced as Chair and the Commission begins work.
2019
ECB sets out Inspiring Generations vision
The ECB launches Cricket’s strategy for 2020-24 – with the overarching ambition to inspire a generation to say, ‘Cricket is a game for me’. The strategy sets six key priorities including transforming women’s and girls’ cricket, engaging children and young people, making cricket accessible and supporting communities.
First urban cricket centre opens in Leyton, east London
A year after the launch of the South Asian Action Plan, the ECB opens the doors to the first new urban cricket centre, the Leyton Cricket Hub. The ground-breaking centre form part of a plan to increase participation and encourage positive social cohesion, providing accessible and affordable cricket for the local community, brought to life through programmes such as Women’s Soft Ball Cricket, All Stars Cricket and tape ball cricket.
£50m injection as part of new Transforming Women’s and Girl’s Cricket Action Plan
The ECB launches its action plan to transform women’s and girls’ cricket with the fundamental goal of making cricket a gender-balanced sport. The plan includes a £50m injection into the women and girls game, and the ground-breaking commitment to the funding of 40-full time professional, domestic contracts for the first time.
2018
ECB and Sport England team up to launch South Asian female volunteer drive
£1.2m of lottery funding is announced to train up to 2,000 South Asian female volunteers as ECB activators to deliver cricket programmes for young people.
ECB becomes first national sports governing body to march under own banner at London Pride
ECB marches in the Pride in London Parade, becoming the first sporting national governing body to participate as an individual organisation.
Core Cities Programme targets ethnically diverse urban areas
The Core Cities programme is set up by the ECB in partnership with Sport England, working across 13 ethnically diverse urban areas. Initially designed to support the South Asian Action Plan and focused on the cities that had the largest South Asian demographics, it has expanded its reach over time. In 2024 the programme is supporting 300 locations and 50,000 people, with each Core City developing a plan to expand their work with Black communities in 2024.
Plan unveiled to engage South Asian Communities
The ECB announces a wide-ranging Action Plan to transform the way it engages with South Asian communities and draw more players, fans and volunteers into every level of the game.
2017
All Stars Cricket launches for 5-8 year olds
A brand new participation programme is launched for girls and boys aged five to eight – the first nationwide entry-level initiative for cricket. The scheme is delivered at local cricket clubs and centres across England and Wales throughout the summer.
2015
England win Physical Disability world title
England win the first ever Physical Disability World Series (International Committee of the Red Cross International T20 Tournament for people with Physical Disabilities) in Bangladesh
2014
England Women enter professional era
The ECB awards 18 players from the England Women's Performance Programme new contracts as the women's game enters a professional era.
2012
England play the first ever international physical disability cricket series that is recognised by NGBs
England take on a Pakistan Physical Disabilities squad in three 40-over matches and two Twenty20 matches at the ICC Global Cricket Academy in Dubai. It was the first ever international cricket series between two teams of physically disabled players where both teams are recognised and endorsed by the governing body of cricket in their country.
2009-11
ECB supports international disability teams
As national governing body, the ECB integrates disability cricket organisations and fully supported existing international disability teams from 2009, with the Physical Disability team introduced in 2011