So when did the Yorkshire racism saga/crisis/scandal – take your pick – really begin to rumble? Not with Azeem Rafiq’s first public utterances. That brought only initial silence from the club, then a lengthy investigation and a half-baked apology.
In reality, change came in early November 2021 when sponsors cut their ties with the county and the England and Wales Cricket Board suspended international matches being hosted at Headingley. The money was going to stop coming in and that, allied with plenty of political commotion, forced a new beginning. Lord Patel entered as chair, backroom staff were brutally culled and hope emerged for a brand new and inclusive Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
