Multiculturalism goal: Cricket Australia aiming to double number of South Asian players in professional cricket by 2027

Cricket Australia has unveiled a plan to supercharge growth in the number of players of South Asian descent playing professionally across the country. Here’s how it will work.

Cricket Australia wants to almost double the amount of players from South Asian backgrounds across professional ranks by the end of 2027 under a plan which has the backing of Usman Khawaja.

The Australian opener will on Friday front a press conference at the MCG along with CA chief executive Nick Hockley and former Australian women’s star Lisa Sthalekar as the governing body launches its new multicultural action plan, which CA says was the fruit of thousands of hours of consultation with multicultural communities and cricketers.

Among the clearest goals that have stemmed from the project is a push to increase the proportion of players of South Asian descent in first-Class, state, and Big Bash teams from the current 4.2 per cent to eight per cent by 2027.

Khawaja, who has been at the centre of a storm for more than a week over an aborted plan to wear pro-Palestinian messages on his shoes during the first Test, commended CA for its work in the diversity space.

“We are delighted that Australian cricket has formulated this action plan to ensure the great love of cricket by South Asian communities in Australia is fully reflected across our sport – with every player welcomed and represented, from community games on local parks to major matches in our greatest stadiums,” Khawaja said in a joint statement with Australian women’s spinner Alana King.

“Encouraging more members of culturally diverse backgrounds to become club volunteers, administrators and coaches to achieve greater representation in these roles at all levels is an important part of our plan.

Australian opener Usman Khawaja during the first test against his birth country Pakistan at Optus Stadium. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

Legspinner Alana King playing for the Perth Scorchers in October, 2022. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

“Creating a sense of ownership and belonging will help us to increase participation in clubs and produce more elite players.

“We look forward to being part of this significant initiative and seeing Australian Cricket successfully deliver this plan to help the game grow and prosper in South Asian and all multicultural communities.”

CA chief Nick Hockley praised Khawaja and others for their involvement in the project.

“Australian cricket is proud of the way it has engaged and included members of multicultural communities in all areas of the game as we pursue our mission to be a sport for all,” Hockley said.

“This multicultural action plan was developed after extensive consultation across the community and will enhance and accelerate measures already in place to ensure our game is welcoming, inclusive and fully representative of our population.

“The enormous crowds at the ICC T20 World Cup provided a wonderful demonstration of cricket’s unique opportunity to bring people together and engage more Australians from South Asian backgrounds in all areas of our game – be that as players, fans, club volunteers, administrators, umpires or coaches.

“I’m particularly grateful to Usman Khawaja and Lisa Sthalekar for helping us launch and providing inspiration for a plan that we are confident will lead to more outstanding players from South Asian and other multicultural backgrounds rising through the ranks of Australian cricket.”

Originally published as Multiculturalism goal: Cricket Australia aiming to double number of South Asian players in professional cricket by 2027