Former Scotland seamer John Blain has been welcomed back into Cricket Scotland’s Hall of Fame, ending a painful four-year exile that began with racism allegations later deemed unfounded.
The 47-year-old received the news this week, nearly four years after his induction was suspended in July 2022. Blain described the reinstatement as one of the proudest moments of his life.
“Representing Scotland 118 times was the greatest honour I have ever had. Having that taken away hurt more than I can put into words,” he said in an emotional statement.
Four Years in the Wilderness
Blain was inducted into the Hall of Fame in May 2019, just three years after retiring. He played from 1996 to 2009, appeared at two World Cups, and took 154 international wickets for Scotland.
But everything changed in July 2022.
The independent review into Scottish cricket, titled “Changing the Boundaries”, found the governing body had failed on 448 counts of racism and declared it institutionally racist. In the fallout, Blain was named by former team-mates Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh who alleged he used a racist slur during a tour of Kenya in 2007.
Cricket Scotland immediately suspended Blain’s Hall of Fame status without giving him a chance to respond publicly. At the same time, the ECB charged him separately over historical allegations linked to his time playing county cricket.
For almost two years, Blain lived under a cloud.
Cleared on All Counts
In January 2024, Cricket Scotland wrote to Blain and told him the allegations against him were “unfounded” and there was no case to answer.
The ECB process continued longer, but by late 2024 all charges against him were either dropped or found not proven.
Blain repeatedly called for a public apology and an independent inquiry into how Cricket Scotland handled the referrals. He argued the governing body’s own failures had contaminated the evidence sent south to the ECB.
This week, Cricket Scotland’s board voted unanimously to lift the suspension and restore his place in the Hall of Fame.
The reinstatement comes with one condition: Blain must complete board-approved equality, diversity and inclusion training, the same requirement now asked of every inductee.
A Grateful Man Returns
In his full statement, Blain thanked the hundreds of former team-mates, opponents and supporters who backed him privately and publicly.
He paid special tribute to Hall of Fame committee chair Omar Henry, the former South Africa spinner who led the push for reinstatement.
“The leadership and moral courage shown by Omar and the committee means more than I can express,” Blain said.
He finished with a message about the sport he loves.
“Cricket has been my livelihood and my joy. It taught me hard work, integrity and respect. It has also given me friends for life from every corner of the world. I am proud to see Scotland’s team today is stronger and more diverse than ever. That is how it should be.”
Cricket Scotland Moves Forward
A Cricket Scotland spokesperson confirmed the decision and said the board wanted to draw a line under one of the most difficult chapters in the sport’s history in the country.
Since the 2022 report, the entire board resigned, a new leadership team has been installed, and more than 70 recommendations have been implemented.
Attendance at domestic matches is rising again, junior participation from minority communities has grown, and Scotland’s men reached the T20 World Cup Super 8s last year for the first time.
John Blain watched that tournament from home, no longer in the Hall of Fame.
Now he is back where many believe he always belonged.
The seamer who once hurried some of the best batsmen in the world can once again walk into the Grange or any ground in Scotland and see his name proudly displayed among the country’s cricket greats.
Sometimes justice is slow, but it still feels sweet when it finally arrives.
What do you think about John Blain’s reinstatement? Has Cricket Scotland done enough to repair the damage of the last four years? Let us know in the comments below.
