Laws of Cricket: MCC to use gender-neutral terms like ‘batter’ instead of ‘batsman’

London, Sep 22 : The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) announced on Wednesday that the gender-neutral terms batter and batters will replace batsman and batsmen after amending the Laws of Cricket.

The changes have been approved by the MCC Committee after initial discussion by the Clubs specialist Laws sub-committee.

"MCC believes that the use of gender-neutral terminology helps reinforce crickets status as an inclusive game for all.The amendments are a natural evolution from work already undertaken in this area as well as an essential part of MCCs global responsibility to the sport.A number of Governing Bodies and media organisations are already using the term batter in their Playing Conditions and reporting.

We expect and encourage others to adopt the updated terminology following todays announcement of the change to the Laws," read the statement from MCC.Womens cricket has enjoyed unprecedented growth at all levels around the world in the same period.Englands victory over India in the 2017 World Cup Final took place in front of a capacity crowd at Lords.

A record international crowd saw Australia defeat India in the T20 World Cup Final in Melbourne three years later and earlier this year, Lords broke the record for a domestic womens match as 17,116 watched Oval Invincibles defeat Southern Brave."At the time of the last redraft in 2017 it was agreed, following consultation with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and key figures within womens cricket, that the terminology would remain as batsman and batsmen within the Laws of the game.

The changes announced today reflect the wider usage of the terms batter and batters which has occurred in cricketing circles in the intervening period.The move to batter is a natural progression, aligning with the terms of bowlers and fielders that already sit within the Laws.

""MCC believes in cricket being a game for all and this move recognises the changing landscape of the game in modern times.Use of the term batter is a natural evolution in our shared cricketing language and the terminology has already been adopted by many of those involved in the sport.

It is the right time for this adjustment to be recognised formally and we are delighted, as the Guardians of the Laws, to announce these changes today," said Jamie Cox, Assistant Secretary (Cricket and Operations) at MCC.#Laws #Cricket #genderneutral #terms #batter #batsman.