Heather Knight blackface: England women's cricket captain apologises for photos

England cricket women’s captain Heather Knight has put forth an apology after a photo of her wearing blackface in 2012 surfaced on social media while she was attending a fancy dress party.

She has been reprimanded by sporting authorities and hit with a fine of £1,000 - Knight says she is ‘truly sorry’ for any offence the photo may have caused.

Knight made her test debut for England in 2011 in a game against Australia - since then, she has accumulated an impressive batting average of 42.26 in international test matches. She was appointed captain of England’s women’s team in 2016, a position she has held ever since.

Knight issued an apology through the England and Wales Cricket Board, which reads: “I'm truly sorry for the mistake I made in 2012. It was wrong, and I have long regretted it. Back then, I simply was not as educated as to the implications and consequences of my actions as I have become since. There was no ill-intent meant.

“Whilst I can't change the past, I am passionate and committed to using my platform to promote inclusivity across the game, ensuring under-represented groups are afforded the same opportunities and fulfilment within the game as I have.”

ECB chief executive Richard Gould said: “Heather recognises this was a serious error of judgment which took place more than 10 years ago and has rightly apologised.

“As a public figure and leader, Heather has worked tirelessly to foster a more inclusive and equitable future for cricket. She has championed initiatives to promote diversity and strongly advocated for marginalised communities. She has shown herself to be a positive role model.

“While we cannot change the past, we can certainly learn from it. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing work to combat racism and discrimination. We remain committed to fostering a culture of respect, inclusivity and belonging for all.”