British Muslim experiences in English first-class cricket

Abstract

British Muslims (the majority of whom are of South Asian background) remain largely excluded from professional sport in the UK. A notable exception is cricket, where significant representation has been achieved in a playing capacity. Based on in-depth interviews, this article examines the experiences of British Muslim players in the contemporary English first-class game. In particular, it addresses the role and significance of Islam in their sporting lives; the extent to which their experiences as Muslims and their subsequent public articulations of Muslimness in the sporting environment are affected by the wider socio-political climate that has developed since the 7/7 London transport bombings; and the degree to which dominant subcultural and off-field aspects of professional cricket are perceived to be conducive to observing the obligations of Islam. Following academic work that has detailed the complexities, nuances and multiple constructions of young Muslim lives and identities in other areas of British society, this article extends these analyses by examining the currently under-researched area of professional sport, thereby shedding light on an arena in which British Muslim voices have previously been ignored or marginalized. The article also discusses methodological issues related to a non-Muslim undertaking research in/with Muslim communities.