John Blain reinstated to Cricket Scotland Hall of Fame after four-year suspension

Scottish cricket stalwart John Blain has been reinstated into the Cricket Scotland Hall of Fame, ending a four-year suspension that goes back to controversial racism allegations dating back to 2022. 

The former quick, who earned 118 caps for Scotland across a distinguished career, was originally inducted in May 2019 but saw his spot in the list put on hold in July 2022 amid claims that he had used a racist slur during a 2007 tour of Kenya, allegations he always denied. The allegations were made by his former teammates Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh.

Blain was informed in January 2024 that an extensive investigation found no case to answer, with Cricket Scotland describing the claims as unfounded.

Blain didn’t hold back while reflecting on the roller-coaster journey and what the decision means to him personally.

“I am enormously grateful to the many, many people who have stood by me since I was falsely accused of racism. Representing my country 118 times was the greatest honour of my life, and the decision almost four years ago to remove me from the Scottish Cricket Hall of Fame was one of the biggest blows during a very challenging period for me and my family. Thankfully I was cleared after a lengthy process in which I provided extensive supportive evidence,” he was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Blain went on to call his removal from the Hall of Fame as one of the biggest blows during a challenging period for him and his family. The 47-year-old also highlighted what cricket has meant in his life off the field.

“The game of cricket gave me my livelihood and instilled in me the values of hard work, integrity, teamwork and fair play. It's also blessed me with countless friendships, amongst team-mates and opponents alike,” he concluded.