The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to use the term “batter” instead of “batsman”. This initiative was taken to gave supremacy to gender-equality. They justify this move as a “natural and overdue evolution” in the sport industry. This change will appear from October’s men’s T20 World Cup.
The ICC added that the change is already implemented in all over the organisation’s channel and commentary over the past four years.
The Maylebone Cricket Club (MCC) had already announced the replacement of the term “batsman” with “batter” in last month. They called this change as a “natural evolution”. Now, that change will going to reflect in all ICC playing conditions in coming future.
The acting CEO of the game’s governing body, Geoff Allardice, said they already accepted the decision taken by MCC to move to “batter”.
Allardice said in a statement, “The ICC has been utilising the term batter for some time now across our channels and in commentary and we welcome the MCC’s decision to implement it into the Laws of Cricket and will follow suit with our playing conditions that are derived from the Laws”.
“This is a natural and perhaps overdue evolution of our sport and now our batters are gender-neutral in the same way as bowlers, fielders and wicket-keepers”, added Allardice.
Allardice mentioned although it is a small change but it will give notable impression on cricket. People will viewed this as a more inclusive and gender-neutral sport. He added, “Of course language changes alone will not grow the sport, we must ensure that girls and boys who are inspired to play cricket have a fantastic, fun first experience and are both able to progress as cricketers without barriers”.
Allardice said, “Why not take a small step to ensuring we’re a sport that doesn’t exclude 50 per cent of the world’s population with out-dated language choices”. He specified this move as a “common-sense change”. He further added, “Whilst some may have made lots of noise against this common-sense change, the majority of people within the game have welcomed the move.”
Cox, remarking on the evolution in the women’s cricket, said, “Women’s cricket has enjoyed unprecedented growth at all levels around the world in the same period. England’s victory over India in the 2017 World Cup final took place in front of a capacity crowd at Lord’s. A record international crowd saw Australia defeat India in the T20 World Cup final in Melbourne three years later and earlier this year, Lord’s broke the record for a domestic women’s match as 17,116 watched Oval Invincibles defeat Southern Brave.”
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