The latest edition of the Wisden Almanack calls out the existence of an “unconscious” racial bias in English cricket.

In the 2020 Wisden Almanack, the 157th edition of the yellow-covered book, Wisden editor Lawrence Booth argues that such unfair bias becomes the basis for the criticism of players when they struggle with performance.

Taking the example of Jofra Archer, Booth states that the the Barbadian-born pacer was initially “regarded in some quarters as an interloper” upon his arrival to international cricket before he played a starring role in England’s World Cup win. Yet, as soon as he encountered a dip in form on the tour of New Zealand last year, “his motivation was questioned”.

“Out came the stereotypes: he was too cold; he was too laid – back; he was a natural athlete, so why couldn’t he bowl at 95mph on demand?” wrote Booth. “It was the sort of inquisition the injury-prone Mark Wood has never had to face.”

Archer has been vocal about abuse he has received as an England player. As recently as March, he posted screenshots of racially abusive messages sent to him on Instagram.

“Then there was Moeen Ali, whose religion helps him see cricket for what it is,” Booth adds. “When he flourishes, the English game applauds. When he doesn’t, it whispers about Anglo-Saxon work ethics. Ali confessed to feeling a scapegoat. He looked, as some may see him, like an outsider.”

“We could go on. Adil Rashid has been suspected by Yorkshire fans of not caring. Before him, Usman Afzaal was flashy, and Alex Tudor frustrating. Before them, Devon Malcolm had a wonky radar, and Phil DeFreitas kept being dropped.

“In isolation, these labels might be unremarkable; together, they grow ugly.”