Knight admits historical blackface social media post

England women skipper Heather Knight has admitted a complaint complete a societal media station successful 2012 erstwhile she was pictured successful blackface.

Knight, who was 21 astatine nan time, was attending an end-of-season fancy dress statement astatine a cricket nine successful Kent.

A image of Knight successful blackface was posted to nan Facebook relationship of different individual.

She has been reprimanded by nan Cricket Discipline Commission and fined £1,000, which is suspended for 2 years.

"I'm genuinely sorry for nan correction I made successful 2012," said nan 33-year-old successful a connection issued via nan England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

"It was wrong, and I person agelong regretted it. Back then, I simply was not arsenic knowledgeable arsenic to nan implications and consequences of my actions arsenic I person go since. There was nary ill-intent meant.

"Whilst I can't alteration nan past, I americium passionate and committed to utilizing my level to beforehand inclusivity crossed nan game, ensuring under-represented groups are afforded nan aforesaid opportunities and fulfilment wrong nan crippled arsenic I have."

Knight has been England skipper since 2016 and will proceed to lead nan squad astatine nan T20 World Cup successful nan United Arab Emirates adjacent month.

The batter has been pinch nan England squad connected their training campy successful Abu Dhabi since 13 September.

ECB main executive Richard Gould added: "Heather recognises this was a superior correction of judgement which took spot much than 10 years agone and has rightly apologised.

"As a nationalist fig and leader, Heather has worked tirelessly to foster a much inclusive and equitable early for cricket.

"She has championed initiatives to beforehand diverseness and powerfully advocated for marginalised communities. She has shown herself to beryllium a affirmative domiciled model.

"While we cannot alteration nan past, we tin surely study from it. This incident serves arsenic a reminder of nan ongoing activity to combat racism and discrimination. We stay committed to fostering a civilization of respect, inclusivity, and belonging for all."

When Knight attended nan statement pinch a 'sports stars' taxable 12 years agone she had already been an England played for much than 2 years.

The photograph of Knight was reported to nan Cricket Regulator successful July of this twelvemonth and she was charged successful August. At nan clip she was skipper of London Spirit successful The Hundred, which nan broadside went connected to win.

Interim head of nan Cricket Regulator Dave Lewis said: "Cricket is moving to go a much inclusive athletics and nan Cricket Regulator is committed to acting positively and impartially whenever racist behaviour is reported to us.

"In this case, Ms Knight's behaviour was discriminatory and offensive, nevertheless nan Cricket Discipline Commission accepted location was nary racist intent successful her conduct. I invited her acknowledgment of nan imaginable effect of her behaviour, and her unreserved apology."