It’s official.
“Batsman” and “batsmen" are out and have been replaced at the crease by “batter’ and ‘batters”, according to the Laws of cricket.
The MCC has announced the gender-neutral term will take effect immediately in the updated Laws that govern the game from internationals to grassroots cricket to encourage inclusivity in the sport.
While the all-encompassing “batter” has become more common in the cricket lexicon over the past decades, the official change now brings the terminology in line with previous changes from “bowlsman” and “fieldsman” to “bowler” and “fielder”.
Several media organisations and commentators, along with some governing bodies, have gradually embraced the inclusive term as women’s cricket has grown in popularity and status and the change represents a shift from the MCC’s most recent update of the Laws four years ago, when it retained the term “batsmen”.
“At the time of the last redraft in 2017 it was agreed, following consultation with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and key figures within women’s cricket, that the terminology would remain as “batsman” and “batsmen” within the Laws of the game,” said the MCC in a statement.
“The changes announced today reflect the wider usage of the terms “batter” and “batters” which has occurred in cricketing circles in the intervening period.
“The move to “batter” is a natural progression, aligning with the terms of bowlers and fielders that already sit within the Laws.”
The move has already provoked a strong reaction, both for against, on social media with many pointing to the existence of other gender-specific terms within the game.
The MCC issued a tweet in response, saying. “The fielding position ‘third man’, along with other cricketing terms like ‘nightwatchman’ and ‘12th Man’ are not included in the Laws, and so any changes to such terms are outside of MCC’s control as Guardians of the Laws.”
