Highlights:
- England and Wales Cricket Board accused of “institutional racism”
- Moeen Ali comes forward claiming he never experienced racism in English Cricket
- The veteran cricketer talks about his experience in the English Cricket team
- Moeen added that he’s always felt at home while playing for England
Veteran English cricketer Moeen Ali insisted “hand on heart” that in his career he did not experience any racism when he was playing in English cricket after allegations on the England and Wales Cricket Board.
On Tuesday, the England and Wales Cricket Board was accused of “institutional racism” by a former international umpire John Holder and an aspiring official Ismail Dawood, both of whom feel that the non-white candidates in English Cricket have been unfairly prevented from becoming match officials.
The accusations from the duo follow the allegations made by an English Cricketer Azeem Rafiq who claimed that he suffered racial discrimination playing for Yorkshire. England all-rounder Moeen has previously alleged racial abuse by an unnamed Australia player during a Test match in 2015.
However, the 33 year old English Cricketer said he never encounter any prejudice while playing in England.
On Wednesday, Moeen Ali said, “I can honestly say, hand on heart, that I have never experienced anything like that,” while talking to the reporters from Cape Town ahead of England’s white-ball series against South Africa.
Moeen who is a practising Muslim, added, “I always felt that if you were scoring runs or taking wickets you’ll play. I have now been playing for England for six years and always felt at home, always felt like one of the guys,”.
Moeen Ali added, “I am sure there are other guys who say they have and I am sure things have and will be done about it. The review is being done and the ECB are improving in all these aspects of the game.
“No one is perfect, but going forward, I think a lot will be done to get all these things right.”
Moeen Ali, who has played 200 International matches wearing England’s jersey, vowed that he will become a regular for team England after admitting that he has not “got that long left” in international cricket formats.
One thing to notice is the that 3 year old off-spinner has not been guaranteed to be the first choice as he lost his place in the Test side during the Ashes in 2019.
Ali said, “I know I haven’t got that long left in international cricket, obviously depending on fitness and form, but I’ll try my best to do as much as I can to get to the level I want to get”.
Moeen Ali has an average of 29 with the bat and of over 36 with the ball from the 60 tests matches, also said, “It’s frustrating for myself and it’s more of a mental thing.
“I’ve had enough of a break from Test cricket… There’s an opportunity there to be one of the greatest sides ever and be part of that. That’s something I want to do.”
Moeen Ali added, “I think I was hungrier when I was younger, when you are trying to play Test cricket (for the first time). I think everyone is hungrier then. “I guess a year-and-a-half ago I had definitely lost a lot of that hunger but over the last six months, I feel like it is coming back. I want to play Test cricket and play as much as I can.”
