ECB apologise for safeguarding failures in historic sex-abuse case

The ECB has apologised for past failures of safeguarding but insists that its policies have "developed significantly" over the past 20 years, following the publication of a case review into the crimes of Michael Strange, a cricket coach who is serving a jail term for a series of sex offences against under-age boys in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Strange, 65, was first sentenced in 2012 and remains in prison, having been convicted of 34 separate offences, involving ten separate victims, between 1993 and 2004.

The ECB suspended him from all cricket in 2005 when the allegations first came to light, and he was permanently disqualified from all cricket activity in April 2006.

In a 47-page case review, the Cricket Regulator found that Strange was "definitively, a sexual predator", adding that he was "a compelling, charismatic and persuasive orator" and that his status as a county-level coach enabled him to convince adults and children alike that he would be able to help them fulfil their aspirations in the sport.

The case echoes that of the former Crewe Alexandra football coach and Manchester City scout Barry Bennell, who died in 2023 while serving a prison sentence for 50 charges of historical child sexual abuse in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. He too used the power of his influence to coerce his victims who dreamed of forging a professional career in their sport.

Richard Gould, the ECB chief executive, said: "Everyone should be able to take part in cricket safely, and our first thoughts today are with the people who were harmed by Michael Strange. We are sorry this happened to you within our sport.

"It is more than 20 years since Strange was suspended from cricket and while the review recognises that safeguarding understanding, policies and practices have developed significantly since then - within cricket and across society more widely - we will never be complacent. This review highlights the importance of everyone being able to recognise concerning behaviour, and to act upon it.

"We are constantly developing and strengthening our safeguarding work as well as the education we deliver across the game, and the review's findings and recommendations will inform our continuing work. By learning from this appalling case, we can keep people safer today."

Chris Haward, Director of the Cricket Regulator, said: "Michael Strange was a prolific offender, and the impact of his crimes on those he harmed cannot be underestimated. I am grateful to all those who contributed to this important review and for the recommendations made in the report.

"One of our key responsibilities for the Cricket Regulator is to protect participants from harm, and our safeguarding work lies at the very heart of our strategy. The findings and recommendations from this review will continue to shape our ongoing work to keep people safe."