John Blain is back in Cricket Scotland’s Hall of Fame, ending a four-year spell on the sidelines that began when racism allegations first surfaced in 2022.
The former seamer, now 47, played 118 times for Scotland between 1996 and 2009, featuring in two World Cups and finishing as the nation’s leading ODI wicket-taker. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in May 2019 but was “temporarily suspended” three years later after former team-mates Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh said he had used a racist slur during a tour of Kenya in 2007.
Cricket Scotland confirmed on Tuesday that an internal process has now judged those allegations to be unfounded. The board voted unanimously to restore Blain’s Hall of Fame status, on the proviso that he completes an equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) course approved by the governing body.
“I am enormously grateful to the many, many people who have stood by me since I was falsely accused of racism,” Blain said in a written statement.
“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.”
He also stressed that cricket remains a “force for good in Scotland, bringing together players from many different backgrounds,” before thanking the Hall of Fame panel, chaired by Cricket Scotland president Omar Henry, for what he called their “leadership and moral courage”.
“The unanimous decision of the Cricket Scotland Board to reinstate me, means more than I can express,” Blain 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.”
Background and wider context
The reinstatement follows turbulent times for Scottish cricket. An independent review published in July 2022 concluded that the sport’s governing body was “institutionally racist”, prompting the entire board to resign. More than fifty referrals—Blain’s case among them—were passed on for further investigation.
Separately, Blain was one of six former Yorkshire players found guilty of using racist or discriminatory language by the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Cricket Discipline Commission in March 2023. That verdict still stands, although Blain insists the Scottish finding has “fatally undermined” the ECB process and has called for a public inquiry into how both cases were handled.
Cricket Scotland says its own investigation included written submissions, witness interviews and a review of contemporaneous documents. A spokesperson noted the board’s desire to “draw a line under individual cases while continuing to tackle discrimination in all its forms”.
Reactions inside the game have been mixed. One current Scotland player, speaking on background, said the squad “just want clarity and consistency” around disciplinary matters. A senior coach familiar with the review felt the reinstatement was “inevitable once no corroborating evidence emerged”.
Where next?
Blain’s immediate focus is expected to be his private coaching business and media work rather than a formal role within Scottish cricket. Yet his return to the Hall of Fame inevitably re-opens discussion about how past wrongs are investigated and addressed.
For Cricket Scotland, the episode is a reminder that the sport’s battle against discrimination is ongoing. Restoring a decorated player to the honours board is one thing; rebuilding trust across communities remains the longer, harder innings.
