“Just before I go, I want to make it clear that I haven’t read the report because it came out last night.
“To the people involved in the game who have felt unwelcome or unaccepted in the past, I am deeply sorry to hear about your experiences. Cricket is a game that needs to celebrate diversity on all fronts because without diversity, this game would not be where it is.” today.
“As a sport we need to learn from the mistakes of the past and do everything we can to make people feel safe and be themselves at all levels. I have been an England player since 2011 and feel very fortunate to have been part of such a amazing diverse teams and I love how everyone has a different story to tell.We must go further and be more inclusive and diverse because the game that I love, and millions around the world love, should be enjoyed without fear of discrimination or judgment, whether due to their education, race or gender.
“As I said before, everyone has a different story to tell. I’m Ben Stokes, a New Zealand born, state educated pupil who left school at 16 with a GCSE in PE. I need help with spelling and grammar in this speech and I’m currently sitting here as the captain of the men’s test for England.
“It’s clear there’s a lot more to do in the game and as players we really want to be a part of that to ensure this is truly a sport for everyone.”
