The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in London, which preserves cricket’s laws, has officially implemented a change in terminology. The terms ‘batsman’ and/or ‘batsmen’ will be formally replaced by the gender-neutral term ‘batter’ starting immediately, according to a statement released by the MCC.
According to The Times, the phrases ‘batsman/batsmen’ have been in use since 1744. The adjustment was made, however, to make the sport more gender-inclusive and friendly to female players.
A statement that was issued on the MCC website said: “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. 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.”
In addition, the MCC’s assistant secretary for cricket and operations, Jamie Cox, stated that the adjustment was made in light of the recent expansion of women’s cricket. He said, “The use of the term ‘batter’ is a natural evolution in our shared cricketing language and the terminology has already been adopted by many of those involved in the sport. It is the right time for this adjustment to be recognized formally and we are delighted, as the guardians of the laws, to announce these changes today.”
