[EXCLUSIVE] "Our aim is to embed the Asian community into the English cricket system": Dr. Tom Brown

[FearlessRoar]

In an exclusive interview with PakPassion, Dr. Tom Brown, Managing Director, and Co-founder of SACA, sheds light on the pressing issues faced by numerous British cricketers of South Asian heritage within the County Cricket circuit.

Amidst concerns regarding racism and cultural barriers, South Asian cricketers in Britain have long grappled with unequal opportunities in professional cricket. In response, the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) was founded to tackle this disparity head-on.

Dr. Tom Brown delves into various aspects of SACA's initiatives:

• Mission Overview: Provides a concise summary of SACA's overarching mission.
• Origins: Insights into the inception and evolution of SACA.
• Leadership Role: Elaborates on his pivotal role within the organization.
• Moeen Ali's Contribution: A closer look at Moeen Ali's involvement and impact on SACA's journey.
• Collaboration with County Cricket: Addressing the collaborative efforts between SACA and County cricket authorities.
• Significance of SACA: Emphasizes the critical importance of SACA's existence in combating inequality.
• Reception by County Teams: An exploration of County teams' attitudes towards SACA's initiatives.
• Women's Cricket: Highlights SACA's efforts in promoting inclusivity within women's cricket.
• Talent Identification: Strategies employed by SACA to identify and nurture budding talent.
• Impact of Racism: A candid discussion on the pervasive influence of racism in County cricket.
• Integration within County Teams: Reflects on the successful integration of SACA players into County setups.
• Future Outlook: Shares his vision for the future, including upcoming talent and SACA's trajectory.
• Lessons for Football: Drawing parallels between SACA's model and potential applications in football.
• Conclusion: A comprehensive wrap-up of the interview, encapsulating the essence of SACA's endeavors.

Watch full interview here:

 

[FearlessRoar]

I'm impressed by Dr. Tom Brown for standing up for the Asian community and helping them become cricket stars.

 

[MenInG]

Never been a better time for UK Asians in cricket - Cannot thank SACA more for their role in this.

 

[Asad T]

He mentions that some deserving Asian players are not being picked because of cultural reasons. e.g. not looking their coaches in the eye due to issues of respect. But I guess a large part of it would be religious as well, like some more devout Asian players not going to the pub with their teammates after games, etc and so they are not able to develop that strong team comradery with their captain and the rest of the team.

 

[hassan918]

The new intro looks awesome. He is doing a great job and seems to be involved in everything at SACA. The addition of more and more South Asian players at the top domestic level is certainly a good thing for the game in England.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

This is the beauty of SACA that they r prioritizing cricket over the structural myths.

People like Dr. Tom truly inspiring the cricket industry globally to take such steps that can polish and bring forward deserving talent without any regional or religious differences.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Another proud prodigy and product of SACA( South Asian Cricket Academy)
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Leg-spinner Jafer Chohan has earned his first England call-up for the white-ball tour of West Indies, while Jos Buttler returns as captain.

Chohan, 22, has taken 22 wickets in 23 T20 Blast matches for Yorkshire, including 17 in 10 games in 2024, and is the first graduate of the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) to be named in an England squad.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Batting all-rounder, Amrit Basra, has signed a two-year deal with the Derbyshire.

The 23-year-old has impressed since joining Derbyshire for the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, with his first half-century coming in the victory over Notts Outlaws at The Central Co-op County Ground.

A former captain of the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA), Basra was a regular performer for Derbyshire’s Second XI this campaign, standing out with his impressive strokeplay and ability to hit big.

He has extended his stay at The Central Co-op County Ground until the end of the 2027 season and will be available for all formats for the remainder of the season.

Head of Cricket, Mickey Arthur, said: “Amrit has impressed during his appearances for us and we feel he’s earned the opportunity to show what he can do longer-term. We’re excited by his talent and he has all the tools to be a very good player at this level.

“He is an example of why Second XI cricket is so important, because it gives players who may be without a county a chance to perform and get a chance in the professional game. We have a great relationship with SACA and Chris Highton has done a tremendous job of providing that platform and finding players for us to take a look at.”

Basra added: “My time with Derbyshire so far has been really enjoyable and I’m thrilled to be staying with the Club for the next two seasons.
“Things have moved very quickly for me over the last few months, but I’m thankful for the opportunity Derbyshire have given me and I want to repay them by helping the team get wins and entertaining our supporters.”