Stacking in cricket

The term stacking is a very emotive term in sport and one I associate with American sports. The term it's self means playing players in a sports team in a specific position because of their race or ethnic background. For example in American football black players were often associated to positions with low cognitive requirements and decision making but ones which needed speed, power and jumping ability such as wide receiver and running back. While on the other hand white players were seen to be more intelligent and so controlled positions like the quarterback. To demonstrate this point the first black quarterback did not win a Super Bowl until Doug Williams won it in 1987 with the Washington Redskins.

Today's blog is inspired by a student at school who educated myself on the fact this American term has been linked in English culture and sport. Prior to the industrial revolution when cricket was played as a recreational activity players from working class and middle class backgrounds played in the same team. However working class players experienced the stacking affect, middle class gentlemen took all the positions of power such as bowler and top order batsmen while working class gentlemen were fielders. While stacking in America took place due to race and stereotypes of perceived abilities of these racial groups stacking in cricket took place because of power. Middle class gentlemen needed to always display their power over the working class and so held these more powerful positions.

In comparison both have one thing in common they are dated terms. Even football has rules in place that currently prevent stacking from taking place and having a negative impact on the sport. The Rooney rule requires NFL franchises to interview someone from a minority ethnic group for the position of head coach, the position which requires most intelligence and decision making. However it's not a dated term in accordance to some research.

Some recent research found that stacking still takes place in Britain within cricket. The findings suggest that certain racial groups are associated with certain positions, it must be noted that this is only specific to Britain. The research found that Asian players are typically associated with high status batters and "Black" players are associated with low status bowlers. The research did state that this is not because of a player centrality theory but more to do with historical and geographical influences. In particular Asian players coming to Britain from the sub continent and "Black" players coming from the West Indies.

The linked was made that historically the West Indies produced bowlers and these bowlers flourished in English conditions and hence held down the bowling positions. While countries like India and Pakistan traditionally exported batters and so took up these roles in England. The stacking affect is clearly taking place players are playing certain positions because of their background.

Who would of thought it, that a term typically associated with America and in years pasts actually has place all be it a different term in modern Britain.