England’s women’s cricket captain Heather Knight has admitted to dressing up in blackface at a party in Kent.
The incident in 2012 occurred when the sportswoman was 21 at a ‘sports stars’-themed event at a cricket club in the county.
A photo of Ms Knight in the outfit was posted on Facebook by a third party.
The cricketer, who has played for England since 2010, has said she is “truly sorry for the mistake”.
At a Cricket Regulator hearing, Ms Knight was fined £1,000, which was suspended for two years, and her conduct was deemed to be “racist and discriminatory”.
In a statement, she said: “I’m truly sorry for the mistake I made in 2012.
“It was wrong, and I have long regretted it.
“Back then, I simply was not as educated as to the implications and consequences of my actions as I have become since. There was no ill-intent meant.
“Whilst I can’t change the past, I am passionate and committed to using my platform to promote inclusivity across the game ensuring underrepresented groups are afforded the same opportunities and fulfilment within the game as I have.”
In handing down the fine, Hannah Kent from the Cricket Regulator accepted that “there was no racist or discriminatory intent in the blackface itself and Ms Knight had not at that time, received any education about the issues involved in posing for such a photo”.
Knight has been captain of the England women’s team since 2016 and will continue to lead the side at the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates next month.
The batter has been with England on their training camp in Abu Dhabi since September 13.
England and Wales Cricket Board CEO Richard Gould added: “Heather recognises this was a serious error of judgment which took place more than 10 years ago and has rightly apologised.
“As a public figure and leader, Heather has worked tirelessly to foster a more inclusive and equitable future for cricket.
“She has championed initiatives to promote diversity and strongly advocated for marginalised communities. She has shown herself to be a positive role model.
“While we cannot change the past, we can certainly learn from it. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing work to combat racism and discrimination.
“We remain committed to fostering a culture of respect, inclusivity, and belonging for all.”
No further details were provided about the party at the cricket club in Kent.
