IND vs Eng: ‘It does not just disappear’ – Former England player says that racism still moves deep in English cricket. Cricket news

The first black cricketer Rolland Bachar, the first black cricketer to play for England 45 years ago, believes that despite the progress for decades, racism in cricket and British society remains deeply. Currently promoting his autobiography ‘Breaking Barriers: Barbados to England and Back’, the 71-year-old former batsman shared his experiences as a black cricketer in the 1970s and 1980s, including his decision to withdraw from the controversial rebellious tour of Rangaratid-Yug South Africa.The child, who divides his time between Barbados and the United Kingdom, accepts that there is a constant effort and time to address racism.“I am enough practical to understand that nothing does. We are in 2025 and we are still talking about it. So it tells you how long the process is. ,Former England players were disturbed by the racism allegations of racism made by Azeem Rafiq in 2020 against Yorkshire County Cricket Club, which led to significant changes in the club’s leadership.

“Older progress has been made. I don’t think you will just suddenly get an empty sheet of paper and all this will be an ideal drawing on it. It is not going to happen. I think it is something that has to work continuously. Trying to level the playground. This is important. ,During his career at Middlesex from 1974 to 1990, the butcher experienced racism, but others faced more challenges.“Okay, for me personally, it was not bad because I am like a person I really wanted to achieve what I wanted to achieve. But, saying that, in the 80s, there were certainly a lot of racism in England, not only in cricket, but I think a lot of black players feel that there was a more difficult time.,The butchers recall specific examples of accidental racism during their sports days in Midlsex, where he was part of a diverse team.

“One of the things that I remember personally is one of them, I was lucky to play in a very good middlesex team. We were very successful. We had a lot of good players, but we also have five black players in the team at any time, we had five black players in the team. So, Ven Daniel, Will Slack, Neel Williams and Norman Collins. Therefore, you know, we were a very multi-veil team, but it did not prevent opposition fans from commenting several times. I can remember a special game against Kent where we were taking the ground after tea and as soon as we went through the crowd, someone commented, ‘Look, five of them have been found’. I just thought, how conceptual, we are playing all day and you only realized that there are five black players in the Middlesex team. ,An important moment in the butcher’s career came in 1989 when he initially agreed to attend the controversial rebel tour of South Africa, but was later withdrawn.“I had decided to go for various reasons. And, then in reflection in the period of time, perhaps a little more education, I realized that going will probably not be the best thing in my interest or in South Africa and in the interest of black people outside South Africa. There were legal challenges but then I decided to withdraw from the tour. ,Despite the ongoing challenges, the butcher sees positive changes in modern Britain’s attitude for racial issues.“I think Britain is now a very tolerant country that used to happen. It should be that you think of nationalities that live within England, Scotland and Wales. They have no alternatives yet, but to be more tolerant because this land has large percentage of foreigners. The 70s, ’80s,’ back in the 90s, would be very difficult to exclude racism because any black or Asian or any foreign player did not think they could speak because they did not represent in any way. Now they have got a voice because they are now encouraging to speak. If you have any problem within your club, now you have been encouraged to speak. And they have dedicated people inside the clubs to listen to you and take it forward. This did not happen earlier. Then, this is progress. ,