County coach suspended for inappropriate behavior with player

A professional county coach has been suspended for six months due to inappropriate sexual behavior with a player under his care. The incidents took place in March 2024 during a pre-season tour for both the men's and women's teams of an unspecified county. The Cricket Regulator considered this behavior serious misconduct, leading to the coach’s suspension and loss of his role in professional cricket.

The English Cricket Board (ECB) charged the coach in May 2024 for violating the 2023 Professional Conduct Regulations, which state that no participant should engage in behavior that harms the reputation of cricket or its players. In July 2024, the coach admitted to the charges.

The identities of the coach, player, and others involved in the case have been kept confidential to protect those affected. Evidence, including call logs, messages, and interview transcripts, was reviewed by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC).

The coach has already served three months of his suspension since the incidents in March, with the remaining three months suspended for two years, depending on his behavior during that period. He is also required to complete relevant training at his own expense, but no fine was imposed to avoid further financial hardship.

Dave Lewis, the interim director of the Cricket Regulator, stated, “The Cricket Regulator seeks to protect all participants from inappropriate sexual behaviour, particularly when perpetrated by those in a position of power or trust.” He emphasized the importance of empowering participants to report such issues and safeguarding victims' identities.

The CDC took into account several factors in determining the sentence, including the coach’s full acceptance of responsibility, his apology, and his long, unblemished career prior to the incidents. The panel also noted that the coach had completed safeguarding courses and updated his DBS check since the incidents.