Former Glamorgan head coach Grant Bradburn has been officially reprimanded and handed a suspended £500 fine by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) following allegations of discriminatory conduct with racist and sexist connotations. The disciplinary action follows Bradburn’s admission of inappropriate behavior during his time at Glamorgan.
Termination and Investigation
Bradburn, 58, was dismissed by Glamorgan in December 2024—less than a year into his three-year contract—after an internal investigation and a referral to The Cricket Regulator. The Regulator is responsible for ensuring compliance with the game’s rules and investigating breaches. Following his dismissal, Richard Dawson was appointed as the interim head coach in January 2025.
According to a statement released by The Regulator, the investigation included interviews with Bradburn and witness statements from several players. It upheld three key allegations of misconduct against him, ultimately resulting in the charges being brought forward.
Details of the Allegations
The allegations against Bradburn included multiple instances of discriminatory language:
- Age-Related Comments: During pre-season training at Sophia Gardens in 2024, Bradburn allegedly asked players of Asian descent about their “real age” and followed up with remarks such as, “Is that your Cricinfo age?”—implying that players from Asian backgrounds misrepresent their age.
- Stereotyping Pakistan Cricket: In a team meeting, Bradburn reportedly suggested that selection decisions in Pakistan were made by “picking friends and cousins or names out of a hat.” This comment was particularly significant given Bradburn’s previous role as Pakistan’s head coach.
- Sexist Remarks: During fielding drills, Bradburn was said to have used the phrase, “This isn’t Western Storm”—a reference to the now-defunct women’s cricket team in the South West of England and Wales—implying that male players were “throwing like girls” when he perceived a lack of intensity.
The investigation found that the “Western Storm” comment began as an inside joke with another coach but spread among players. The CDC considered this an aggravating factor due to Bradburn’s influential position and the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) goal to make cricket the most inclusive sport.
Admitting Fault and Penalties
Bradburn admitted to breaching Regulation 3.3 of the Professional Conduct Regulations 2024, which concerns bringing the game into disrepute. While The Regulator accepted that Bradburn did not intend to offend, the language was deemed unacceptable and damaging.
As a consequence, CDC adjudicator Tim O’Gorman issued the following sanctions:
- A formal reprimand and caution regarding future behavior.
- A requirement to complete an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) course through either the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) or the New Zealand Players Association.
- A suspended £500 fine, reflecting his cooperation with the investigation and the professional consequences he already faced, including losing his coaching position.
Responses from The Cricket Regulator and Glamorgan
Chris Haward, Director of The Cricket Regulator, emphasized the importance of addressing discrimination in the sport:
“There is no place for discrimination in cricket, and normalizing discriminatory language is unacceptable. Senior leaders must set the right tone, and in this instance, Grant Bradburn failed to meet those expectations.”
Haward also acknowledged the courage of those who reported the misconduct and reaffirmed The Regulator’s commitment to thoroughly investigating such allegations.
Glamorgan’s chief executive officer, Dan Cherry, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the club’s zero-tolerance policy:
“As soon as these issues were brought to our attention, we acted swiftly to protect those affected and reinforce our commitment to a safe and inclusive environment. We are confident our processes are working, as shown by those who came forward.”
Bradburn’s Glamorgan Tenure
Despite the controversy, Bradburn’s brief tenure included on-field success. Glamorgan won the Metro Bank One-Day Cup under his leadership and finished sixth in both Division Two of the County Championship and the T20 Blast South Group.
A Message for the Future
This case underscores cricket’s ongoing challenge to foster an inclusive culture and hold those in leadership positions accountable. With the ECB prioritizing diversity and fair treatment, the outcome of Bradburn’s case sends a clear message—discrimination has no place in the sport.
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