Cultural change across a sport founded on misogyny is far from straightforward

Len Hutton is reported to have once said that women’s cricket was “absurd, like a man trying to knit”. The comment dates back to 1963, but reading through the report of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, it appears there are a number of Len Huttons continuing to lurk within English and Welsh cricket. The report labels them “Type Ks” – white, affluent, middle-class men who still, for the most part, run cricket, and who still treat women’s cricket as, well, a bit of a joke.

It is sad but true that anyone who has any involvement in women’s cricket in England or Wales will find themselves nodding in recognition at some of the scenarios described in the report. The commission spoke to women throughout the game – recreational and elite players, female umpires and coaches – and found damning evidence of a culture of sexism, at all levels. “Women and women’s teams are frequently demeaned, stereotyped and treated as second-class,” the Icec findings read. “This included misogynistic and derogatory comments about women and girls, and everyday sexism … There was evidence of unwanted and uninvited advances from men towards women.”

The report also concludes that women have little or no power, voice or influence within cricket’s decision-making structures – a point Heather Knight disputed on Monday, saying she feels that “things have changed” since she took on the England captaincy seven years ago. “My voice has definitely been listened to a lot more recently,” she said. “We’ve still got some way to go, but I do think things are starting to tip in women’s cricket.”

Jon Lewis, the England women head coach, concurred with the assessment. “We’ve got some really strong, powerful women in the dressing room who have got really