Reference at the time of writing this article: MCC’s The Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code (3rd Edition–2022).
The game of cricket has a long history. It has seen the greatest players, greatest events, greatest achievements, emotional moments, forgettable and unforgettable scenes, and so on. All these make this game what it is today. The game always had the ‘human’ touch. Be it players or umpires or
scorers or other allied teams. And, will continue to have these ‘human’ touch, that is how it can continue to remain as a game.
Even though so many people with different roles are associated with the game, it has always been the ‘players’ in the driver’s seat in this journey and they will continue to retain that position in the journey ahead as well.
We always used to refer to the players with certain technical terms associated with the game. ‘Captain’ and ‘Vice-Captain’, are commonly found in all team games, whereas terms like ‘Batsman’, ‘Wicket Keeper’, ‘Fielder’, and ‘Bowler’ are unique to this game. Even though all these terms’ usage was
acceptable be it in a men’s game or a women’s game, only the term ‘batsman’ was an odd one out. The term batsman is clearly having a gender tag associated with it. So, it was much needed to have an alternate term that can be used in women’s games.
MCC laws of cricket, right through all its previous codes and editions had always used the term ‘batsman’ for all the references made to the player who is batting. However, recently the ICC playing conditions started using the term ‘batter’ in all its women’s games across all formats. For a while, both terms continued to remain in use under respective games. And, now the MCC laws of Cricket, in its latest edition of the laws have gone in with the more acceptable and common term ‘batter’, with a clear view on having a gender-neutral term. They have rightly considered this change as part of the natural evolution process, and as part of MCC’s global responsibility to the sport.
The announcement in this regard was made in September 2021 and it is now part of the latest MCC’s The Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code (3 rd Edition – 2022).
Is this a significant change? Yes, It is indeed a significant change.
Does it bring more inclusiveness? Yes, it indeed brings in inclusiveness.
As mentioned by the MCC themselves, it is a necessity as part of the evolution of the game.
With that we can very well say, it is truly the End of an ‘ERA’, the future is ‘ER’.