By Richard Tilley RACISM exists in English cricket - that is the blunt conclusion of a survey commissioned by the England & Wales Cricket Board.

And Rupert Evans, a member of the ECB's Racism Study Group, which produced the report, believes more could be done locally to develop players from ethnic minorities.

The former Oxfordshire captain, now the county's cricket development officer, says that although the failure to cultivate black and Asian talent is not as chronic as in other areas, there is no room for complacency.

"I wouldn't say that we have a big problem here," said Evans. "Things are going wrong nationally, but we are clearly not like Yorkshire where there are massive Asian leagues and nobody coming through to the full county side."

Of the 50 million people living in England & Wales, around three per cent are of Asian origin. The ECB report reveals that of the 400 or so cricketers contracted to first class counties last season, 25 - or just over six per cent - were British Asians. But Evans says those figures are misleading.

"We are talking about communities which are really passionate about cricket, so their representation should be even higher," he said.

Oxfordshire first-team manager Alan Crossley agrees.

"I see in the Asian community the same passion for the game that existed when I was growing up in Lancashire," he said.

"They are the new grassroots in this country and the game is not tapping the resource."

Evans believes that the attitude of Asian parents to sport plays a big part in that.

"They don't tend to think of cricket as a career," Evans said. "Good young players disappear as soon as they start A-levels."

But, Evans argues, cultural differences are also an important factor.

"It's a social thing. Asian lads tend not to feel at home in white clubs. Therefore, they play for all-Asian clubs in Asian leagues and their talent is not picked up."

Chris Clements, the OCB's chairman of coaching, says that much is being done to nurture minority individuals with potential. So far, just one Asian has played for Oxon in the Minor Counties Championship. But Clements believes more will follow Shahbaz Ali into the senior team.

"The breakthrough has not yet happened," he said. "But we do have good young Asian players, and with their enthusiasm it is inconceivable that they are all going to fall short."

Story date: Friday 03 December

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