• ‘That’s a mistake. Cost is a significant barrier’ – Icec chair
• ECB to invest £26m in state school facilities by 2030

The England and Wales Cricket Board has made a “mistake” in not committing to making participation in the county talent pathway free, according to the chair of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, Cindy Butts.

The ECB revealed several new action plans on Wednesday in its bid to make cricket the most inclusive team sport in England and Wales, including a specific plan to boost participation in state schools by training hundreds of teachers and investing up to £26m in facilities by 2030. The governing body is also aiming “to provide free cricket for 3.5 million children in state primary schools over the next six years”.