ESPN’s Cricket Website To Begin Using Gender-Neutral Sports Terms

In 2017, Western Australia Cricket Association’s chief executive officer, Christina Matthews in a statement to an Australian publication, said, “In my view, there’s no common sense reason why (the terms can’t be changed). I think it’s just something people have held on to. Words matter, and words demonstrate respect as well.” The fact remains, male-centric cricket terms such as “batsman”, “fieldsman”, “12th man” and “nightwatchman” still do exist, and it’s been a slow and gradual process to bring about change and inclusivity.

However, in a bid to expedite the process, ESPN’s website for cricket news, CricInfo, has said it will replace two words that are commonly used in cricket coverage with gender-neutral alternatives, as an intensive step towards adopting a more inclusive model. This announcement has put the website on the map, joining other international outlets that are embracing a more inclusive paradigm by adopting ungendered vocabulary. Undeniably, this reiterates the message—the semantics of sports can be more inclusive.

In line with their announcement, ESPNCricInfo will resign the use of words like ‘batsman’ and the phrase ‘man of the match’, and opt for inclusive terms like ‘batter’ and ‘player of the match.’ The changes will take immediate effect and will reflect on website as well as any running coverage for cricket matches.

In a blog post, ESPNcricinfo’s editor Sambit Pal explained the platform’s decision to take this step towards inclusivity. “Words are not just about what they literally mean but about what they imply as well. A job title or a role that requires a feminine suffix when performed by women marks an assumption of male primacy,” he wrote.