MCC shifts from batsman/batsmen to batter/batters in Laws of Cricket
ESPNcricinfo had adopted the gender-neutral terms in mid-April this year
ESPNcricinfo staff
22-Sep-2021
"The move to 'batter' is a natural progression, aligning with the terms of bowlers and fielders that already sit within the Laws" • Getty Images
The MCC has adopted the gender-neutral "batter" and "batters" in place of "batsman" and "batsmen" in the laws of the game, with the change effective immediately after being approved by the MCC committee. The MCC, custodians of the laws of cricket, called the amendments "an essential part of MCC's global responsibility to the sport".
"MCC believes in cricket being a game for all and this move recognises the changing landscape of the game in modern times," Jamie Cox, MCC assistant secretary (cricket and operations), was quoted as saying in a note on www.lords.org. "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."
As a matter of note, ESPNcricinfo had shifted from batsman/batsmen to batter/batters in mid-April this year.
"At the time of the last redraft in 2017 it was agreed, following consultation with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and key figures within women's cricket, that the terminology would remain as 'batsman' and 'batsmen' within the Laws of the game," the MCC explained. "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.
"Women's cricket has enjoyed unprecedented growth at all levels around the world in the same period. England's victory over India in the 2017 World Cup Final took place in front of a capacity crowd at Lord's. A record international crowd saw Australia defeat India in the T20 World Cup Final in Melbourne three years later and earlier this year, Lord's broke the record for a domestic women's match as 17,116 watched Oval Invincibles defeat Southern Brave."