John Blain reinstated to Cricket Scotland Hall of Fame

Blain, 47, played 118 times for his country in a 13-year career, including at the 1999 World Cup. He was inducted by the governing body in May 2019, but “temporarily suspended” in July 2022 after being accused by his former team-mates, Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh, of using a racist slur on a tour of Kenya in 2007.

Though Cricket Scotland declined to explain their decision at the time, Blain’s case had been one of numerous referrals that stemmed from an independent review in July 2022 that found the governing body to be institutionally racist and led to the resignation of the board.

Separately, he was also charged with racism by the ECB, in the wake of Azeem Rafiq’s revelations about his treatment at his former county, Yorkshire, and was one of six former players to be found guilty in March 2023.

In January 2024, Blain was informed by Cricket Scotland that the allegations against him had been “unfounded” and that there was no case for him to answer. He called for a public inquiry, adding that CS’s findings had “fatally undermined” the ECB process.

In response to his reinstatement, Blain issued a statement, saying: “I am enormously grateful to the many, many people who have stood by me since I was falsely accused of racism.

“Representing my country 118 times was the greatest honour of my life, and the decision almost four years ago to remove me from the Scottish Cricket Hall of Fame was one of the biggest blows during a very challenging period for me and my family.

“Thankfully I was cleared after a lengthy process in which I provided extensive supportive evidence.”

Blain added that cricket remained a “force for good in Scotland, bringing together players from many different backgrounds”, and thanked the “leadership and moral courage” shown by the Hall of Fame Committee, chaired by CS president Omar Henry.

“The unanimous decision of the Cricket Scotland Board to reinstate me, means more than I can express,” he added. “The game of cricket gave me my livelihood and instilled in me the values of hard work, integrity, teamwork and fair play. It’s also blessed me with countless friendships, amongst team-mates and opponents alike.”

Cricket Scotland added that Blain’s suspension would be lifted, subject to his completion of board-approved equality, diversity and inclusion training.