The gender-neutral terms “batter” and “batters” have been adopted by the MCC in the laws of cricket, replacing the previous “batsman” and “batsmen. The change became effective the moment the MCC committee approved the same. The move was described by the custodians of the laws of the game as “an essential part of MCC’s global responsibility to the sport”. The MCC Committee, which is presided over by former Sri Lanka captain and batting legend Kumar Sangakkara and consists of many former international stars, suggested the change.
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MCC Assistant Secretary Jamie Cox Addresses Media
Weighing in on the matter in a media release, Jamie Cox, the assistant secretary, cricket and operations, at the MCC, is reported to have said,
“MCC believes in cricket being a game for all and this move recognises the changing landscape of the game in modern times. Use of the term ‘batter’ is a natural evolution in our shared cricketing language and the terminology has already been adopted by many of those involved in the sport. It is the right time for this adjustment to be recognised formally and we are delighted, as the Guardians of the Laws, to announce these changes today.”
MCC Had Earlier Resisted the Move
In 2017, the MCC announced that it had consulted with “key figures within women’s cricket” before deciding to retain the terms, “batsman” and “batsmen.” However, the women’s game has grown unprecedentedly since then, thereby making the changes inevitable.
MCMCC Media Release
its media release, the MCC clarified, “At the time of the last redraft in 2017 it was agreed, following consultation with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and key figures within women’s cricket, that the terminology would remain as ‘batsman’ and ‘batsmen’ within the Laws of the game.
“The changes announced today reflect the wider usage of the terms ‘batter’ and ‘batters’ which has occurred in cricketing circles in the intervening period. The move to ‘batter’ is a natural progression, aligning with the terms of bowlers and fielders that already sit within the Laws.”
“Women’s cricket has enjoyed unprecedented growth at all levels around the world in the same period. England’s victory over India in the 2017 World Cup Final took place in front of a capacity crowd at Lord’s. A record international crowd saw Australia defeat India in the T20 World Cup Final in Melbourne three years later and earlier this year, Lord’s broke the record for a domestic women’s match as 17,116 watched Oval Invincibles defeat Southern Brave.”
ReReactions of Various Cricket Observers
rmer Australia player Lisa Sthalekar, in a message on Twitter, stated it was “about time,” indicating that the change was overdue. She added that she was not surprised that some traditionalists were objecting to the move. Former England skipper went a step further and asked those who objected to the change to “get a life”. According to Elizabeth Ammon, a sports reporter from the UK, “language matters.” According to another media person, Henry Moeran, a BBC commentator, the move was “small, but big.” Moeran added that cricket language had already become gender-neutral in many instances.
“The changes announced today reflect the wider usage of the terms ‘batter’ and ‘batters’ which has occurred in cricketing circles in the intervening period. The move to ‘batter’ is a natural progression, aligning with the terms of bowlers and fielders that already sit within the Laws.”
“Women’s cricket has enjoyed unprecedented growth at all levels around the world in the same period. England’s victory over India in the 2017 World Cup Final took place in front of a capacity crowd at Lord’s. A record international crowd saw Australia defeat India in the T20 World Cup Final in Melbourne three years later and earlier this year, Lord’s broke the record for a domestic women’s match as 17,116 watched Oval Invincibles defeat Southern Brave.”