RICHARD Thompson, the chairman of the ECB, believes cricket should strive to become the “the most inclusive sport in England and Wales”.

The national governing body published steps it is taking in order to meet recommendations made by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) report in June following the much-publicised Azeem Rafiq racism scandal.

The report highlighted institutional racism, sexism and class-based discrimination across cricket in England and Wales, precipitating an array of planned changes across the game.

The ICEC report made 44 recommendations with each including sub-clauses, and Richard Gould, chief executive of the ECB, said that “a positive direction of travel” had been reached with 94 per cent of them.

One recommendation that had already been implemented prior to this week was that of equal match fees for England’s men’s and women’s players, but the ECB has not committed to the report’s recommendations of equal pay at domestic level by 2029 and in internationals by 2030.

The governing body has pledged to investing at least £25m a year till the end of the current broadcast deal that runs up to 2028 to grow the women’s game.

“In addressing the issue of cricket in state schools, the ECB said it would develop an action plan to tackle barriers there.

“On the day the ICEC published its report, I apologised without reservation on behalf of cricket’s wider leadership to anyone who has suffered discrimination or felt excluded from our sport,” Thompson said.

“As well as reiterating that apology here, I reaffirm our absolute commitment that cricket will strive to become the most inclusive sport in England and Wales.

“There is no doubt that the ICEC highlighted to great effect the impact of discrimination on individuals and the extent of the systemic challenges to be addressed.

“Its in-depth analysis also presented an opportunity to put in place a comprehensive plan of action that will deliver meaningful change and rebuild trust among the communities we serve.”