University News Last updated 09 October
Jafer Chohan has become the first South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) graduate to be called up by England, marking another major milestone for the influential sporting initiative that began as a research project at Birmingham City University (BCU) less than three years ago.
London-born Chohan, a right-hand batter and leg-spinner, has been selected for the tour to West indies later this year. It is a remarkable rise for the 22-year-old, who made his debut for Yorkshire in the T20 Blast in 2023, shortly after graduating from SACA.
Chohan, who was inspired to become a leg-spinner after watching the legendary Australian Shane Warne play, will join England’s 14-man white-ball squad for three one-day internationals (ODIs) and five T20s in October and November.
SACA was established in 2021 by former BCU student Dr Tom Brown, who had conducted PhD research into the number of British South Asians playing elite level cricket in England.
He found that 30% of recreational cricketers in England and Wales are British South Asian, yet representation drops to under 5% within the professional game.
Dr Brown’s research also showed that white privately educated players are 34 times more likely to play professional cricket than British South Asian state-educated players.
Dr Brown called Chohan’s England selection “historic” and a landmark moment for SACA.
“He is the first of our graduates to be selected for an England squad, a milestone that fills everyone at SACA with immense pride,” said Dr Brown.
“Jafer’s journey from the academy to the international stage is a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work, determination, and the right support network.
“Jafer’s selection is not just a personal triumph; it represents a breakthrough for South Asian cricketers across the country. It sends a powerful message that talent, regardless of background, will be recognized and rewarded.
“At SACA, we believe that Jafer’s success will inspire the next generation of cricketers and encourage more young players from South Asian communities to pursue their dreams.”
The Academy gives South Asian male cricketers, aged 18 and over, the chance to train with expert coaches over the winter and play against county second XIs in the summer season.
Dr Adam Kelly is a BCU talent development expert who supervised Dr Brown’s initial research and supported the subsequent development of SACA.
He’s the driving force behind BCU’s newly launched Research for Athlete and Youth Sport Development Lab, which aims to ensure that every young person can achieve their potential.
“To create more effective and efficient systems, we need to understand how to work with more diverse groups within cricket,” said Dr Adam Kelly, who’s leading the latest research project.
The new initiative, which is backed by the English and Wales Cricket Board, aims to create more equal cricket talent systems that support young Black and Asian athletes, especially females.
“To widen the talent pool, we must understand how to attract more British South Asian girls and women into the pathways, as well as transitioning them into higher levels,” Dr Kelly said.
The research involves two PhD projects exploring equity in the male cricket talent pathway and talent identification and development in British South Asian women and girls in cricket.
Pictured: Jafer Chohan in his delivery stride, 30 May 2024. Getty Images.