ICC to switch from ‘batsmen’ to gender-neutral ‘batter.’
Sports connoisseurs often touched upon the sheer sexism in male-centric cricket terms such as ‘batsman.’ The vernacular needed severe alterations that would make a good pair with the politically advanced world of 2021. The International Cricket Council (ICC) will take a step in the right direction in 2021.
A ‘batswoman’ has now earned an equal identity in the sporting arena where a ‘batsman’ still maintains supremacy, even decades after the commencement of women’s cricket championships.
With only a few days left till the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, the International Cricket Council (ICC) declared on October 7 that the word “batsman” is to be replaced by the word “batter”.
It reflects a gender-neutral identity in all forms of cricket, beginning with the men’s T20 World Cup this month, removing the gendered annotation from the rulebooks. Feel free to contact us for Dream11 predictions via our contact form.
Last month, the Marylebone Cricket Club declared that the word ‘batsman’ would be known as ‘batter’ under the Laws of Cricket. Now, this adjustment will be visible in all future ICC playing conditions.
Many believe that the council moved away from the term “batsman” for the previous four years. The term “batter” was used routinely in commentary and throughout the organization’s platforms. It is only official now. Nevertheless, the decision to change the game’s rules to ‘batter’ was once ignored half of the population wanted.
The ICC’s action for the T20 World Cup has triggered a debate over how fundamental language perpetuates gender discrimination. Terminologies can have ingrained gender biases in several sectors in the most subtle and undetectable ways.
When we internalize a strongly gendered speech, we emphasize gender distinctions in both the speaker’s and receiver’s minds, resulting in more prominent gender roles and significant socioeconomic disparities between men and women.
Beyond one’s scope of imagination are the implications of gendered language. It contributes considerably to workplace gender disparity, perhaps resulting in fewer women working or occupying positions of value or power.
Why not take a simple step towards ensuring that cricket is a sport that does not exclude 50% of the global population due to archaic offerings by the sport’s vernacular?
It is a minor adjustment, but it is one that followers believe will greatly influence cricket’s image as a more inclusive sport. While some people objected to this common-sense change, the bulk of those involved in the game praised it.
Since a young age, we have believed that sports are for boys/men who are rugged and powerful; similarly, a batsman is assumed to be a ‘man,’ and this term carries a gender identity that contributes to the gender divide.
When we encourage the usage of the word’ batter,’ on the other hand, there is no identity linked to it. Because the individual might be of any gender, it’s essential to use gender-neutral terms.
In the spirit of equality, the authority has decided to include women’s cricket at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, for the first time in 2022.
In growing proof of the women’s game’s popularity, England won the 2017 women’s ICC T20 World Cup final at Lord’s in front of a capacity crowd. The women’s World T20 final between Australia and India in 2020 drew more than 80,000 to the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The ICC’s declaration, applicable from the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, is a progressive step. However, adopting gender-neutral language is not a magic wand; people’s attitudes about women must improve.
Accepting and acknowledging women in significant roles and positions of power must be accomplished to end gender inequality.
We see discrepancies in the amount of money invested in men’s and women’s tournaments, in marketing for their events, and even in the popularity of male and female athletes in cricket and other sports. This measure should also inspire all stakeholders to implement innovative reforms to eliminate gender prejudices.
