Middlesex chief on collision course with ECB over diversity rules - 'We will not go woke!'
Aidan Magee discusses the latest sport headlines 31 January 2025
Middlesex cricket chief executive Andrew Cornish has hit back at the England and Wales Cricket Board by declaring the club won't be "woke" whilst appearing to criticise new diversity requirements at a recent club forum.
Speaking at a private members' event, Cornish dismissed what he called "token" appointments based on "gender or ethnicity".
The comments come as the ECB introduces enhanced diversity targets requiring 40 per cent female representation on county boards.
Cornish's remarks risk antagonising the ECB, which distributes around £120m of annual funding to the professional game through its County Partnership Agreement.
Middlesex chief Andrew Cornish has refused to adhere to the ECB's diversity rules
PA
Middlesex currently has four women on its 13-strong board, falling short of the new requirements that come into force.
The club's committees are 79 per cent male, requiring significant changes to comply with the ECB's new standards.
The ECB's Equality Diversity and Inclusion action plan 2025-28 mandates "a requirement of 40% minimum of each gender" and updated ethnic diversity targets reflecting the 2021 UK census.
The governing body has the power to withhold funding if diversity targets are not met, a potentially serious concern for Middlesex, which has already faced financial restrictions in recent seasons.
At the members' forum, Cornish insisted: "Our board and our committees are incredibly diverse and meet all the diversity standards that we need."
He continued: "But being blunt, we're not gonna, I hate the word, but we're not gonna be woke and just do political correctness for political correctness."
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Addressing the panel at the forum, Cornish said: "It's unfortunate you've got our three ugly mugs here now.
"But I don't think anyone, including anyone that was plonked on this presentation group just because they were of a certain gender or ethnicity would value that either."
He added that the club would not engage in "tokenism", calling it "even worse."
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Andrew Cornish has told the ECB he refuses to 'go woke'
PA
Middlesex has previously faced criticism over diversity issues, notably in 2022 when then-chair Mike O'Farrell made controversial comments to a parliamentary select committee.
O'Farrell suggested cricket's lack of diversity was due to black players preferring football and rugby, while claiming the Asian community prioritised education over cricket.
His remarks drew widespread criticism, including from Ebony Rainford-Brent, the first black woman to play for England.
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Despite the backlash, Cornish defended O'Farrell, who was later made a life president of Middlesex at the end of his term as chair.
The enhanced EDI targets come as a direct response to findings from the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket.
Middlesex has responded to the controversy with a statement affirming its commitment to "break down barriers" and "increase our representation", while "fostering a culture of belonging and fairness."
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