Former Cricket Scotland chairman expresses worries about McKinney report

Former Cricket Scotland chairman Tony Brain has expressed “serious concerns” following the release of the McKinney Report, revealing deep-rooted prejudice towards female staff and players within the organization. Brian emphasized the need to address sexism and inequality but raised doubts about the review’s methodology and conclusions. He criticized the report for excluding certain former staff members and drawing conclusions based solely on questionnaire feedback.

The McKinney Report, following a previous independent review in 2022 that found Cricket Scotland institutionally racist, identified key themes such as culture, leadership, and sexism and misogyny, resulting in nine recommendations for improvement. Former chairman, Tony Brian, contested the report’s assertion that Cricket Scotland neglected women’s cricket until 2022, citing significant growth in participation numbers and performance standards since 2016. He highlighted the organization’s long-term strategy to foster a sustainable future for women and girls’ cricket, emphasizing the positive developments made since 2015.

Cricket Scotland CEO Trudy Lindblade described the McKinney Report as a “damning indictment” of the treatment of female players and staff within the organization, issuing a public apology to those affected. The report highlighted the need for addressing sexism and ensuring equality within Cricket Scotland, prompting a call for improvement and accountability within the organization. Former chairman, Tony Brain, acknowledged the issues raised in the report but raised concerns about the review process and conclusions drawn, urging for a more comprehensive and inclusive investigation into the matter.