ECB Faces Backlash Over Disability Premier League Inclusion

Published: 01 April 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The England and Wales Cricket Board now faces serious allegations regarding its premier disability tournament. Critics argue that non-disabled players currently occupy spots meant for athletes with genuine physical or learning impairments. This controversy centers on the Disability Premier League which serves as a vital international cricket pathway. Several parents of former England internationals have voiced deep concerns about the integrity of the league. They believe the current selection process unfairly blocks talented players from reaching the highest competitive levels. These families claim that the ECB allows athletes who do not meet strict disability criteria to play. The DPL should ideally represent the pinnacle of achievement for the England Mixed Disability cricket team. However, recent data suggests that nearly one-fifth of the current players may not be disabled. Estimates indicate that twelve out of sixty-four drafted players fail to meet the required impairment standards. This situation has sparked a heated debate about fairness and the true purpose of disability sport.

The ECB currently follows guidelines set by Virtus for international competition involving athletes with intellectual impairments. Under these rules, players in the learning disability category must possess an IQ of seventy-five or less. Owen Jervis manages the Yorkshire disability team and has witnessed these issues firsthand within the domestic circuit. He alleges that the board permits several neurodiverse players to compete despite failing official assessment tests. These assessments are usually conducted by educational psychologists to ensure that every athlete meets specific eligibility. Most neurodiverse individuals do not actually meet the strict criteria required for formal disability cricket categories. Some players with conditions like ADHD or autism already compete successfully within professional mainstream cricket circles. England bowler Em Arlott is a notable example of a mainstream professional with a neurodiverse diagnosis. While the ECB does not strictly need to follow international rules for domestic games, experts disagree. They argue that including non-disabled players essentially undermines the very foundation of the Disability Premier League.

Tracey Jervis expressed her frustration by stating that a disability league must exclusively feature truly disabled players. The current environment has left many families feeling that their children are being pushed out of sport. Another parent suggested that players from the county disability circuit are now at a significant disadvantage today. Many players qualified for England do not participate in the traditional county disability system at all lately. This parent believes the county game is no longer being used to assess emerging new cricket talent. He described the current state of the DPL as a closed club for a small group. There is a growing sense that coaches and captains are picking favorites instead of looking at form. The transition to mixed disability cricket has also complicated the availability of spots for all eligible players. Teams now combine players with physical disabilities, hearing impairments, and learning disabilities into one single playing squad. This format naturally reduces the number of available positions for athletes within each specific disability sub-category.

Owen Jervis noted that players with misallocated impairments are taking valuable game space from those in need. These individuals often dominate the match by taking the most significant roles in batting and in bowling. Meanwhile, players with profound learning disabilities are frequently relegated to minor roles like carrying the water bottles. Many of these athletes feel discouraged because they cannot compete with those who lack their specific challenges. They often internalize this failure and wonder if there is any point in continuing their sports careers. The emotional impact on these young men is profound as they feel their hard work is ignored. Several other parents shared similar feelings but requested anonymity to protect their children from any potential repercussions. There is a pervasive feeling that people with learning disabilities are being quietly moved to the side. This perceived marginalization has led to a breakdown in trust between the families and the governing body.

The issue was officially raised with Richard Hill who manages events and competitions for the governing body. In an email from late 2024, Hill acknowledged the challenges presented by players with high-functioning conditions. He stated that the ECB was developing an action plan to manage the changing landscape of disability. However, Owen Jervis insists the situation has only worsened since that correspondence was sent to the board. More players with legitimate learning disabilities are being excluded from the draft with every passing new season. Two prominent examples of this trend are the talented bowlers Jai Charan and the veteran Alex Jervis. Jai Charan debuted for the England learning disability team in 2023 with a very impressive statistical record. He currently holds the best bowling average and strike rate in the entire history of the DPL. Alex Jervis has represented his country for a decade and has won the Ashes three times now. Despite their incredible resumes, both men spent the 2025 season acting primarily as drinks carriers for others.

Shanial Charan shared his heartbreak over the treatment his son received during the recent DPL season matches. He believed that disability cricket would be the one place where his son would face no discrimination. Jai did not play a single game last season despite attending every match with his cricket gear. The young bowler eventually decided to step away from the league because he felt his presence was ignored. He questioned why his record-breaking statistics were not enough to earn him a spot on the starting pitch. His father struggled to find an explanation that would satisfy a dedicated athlete who felt completely betrayed. An ECB spokesperson defended the league by stating it provides top-level competition for sixty mixed disability players. They emphasized that all participants have some form of impairment that justifies their inclusion in the draft. The board noted that competition for these sixty spots is intense because of the high playing standards. They acknowledged the ongoing debates regarding eligibility and confirmed a formal review of the current criteria is underway. The ECB intends to implement any necessary changes to the selection process by the 2027 cricket season.

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