EXCLUSIVE: ECB opens investigation into four-time convicted pedophile cricket coach Michael Strange after sixth survivor turns up

The ECB is finally set to open an investigation into four-time convicted pedophile cricket coach Michael Strange after a sixth survivor turned up – 17 years after his lifetime ban from cricket.

The shocking revelation at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon, in which ex-Durham coach and scout Strange admitted to molesting yet another young cricketer, followed months of continued revelations by Mail Sport.

And we can now reveal that an investigation will be opened. Although it’s unclear why it took a sixth survivor to come forward before the ECB launched an investigation, which saw the pedophile permanently disqualified from all cricket in April 2006.

Questions have also been raised about the fact that this review is conducted internally, with the assumption that the findings will not be made public.

MPs are now calling on the organization to ensure that Strange’s investigation is independent so that failures can be properly addressed for the protection of other children – and to see if there are any other survivors.

Michael Strange, a convicted pedophile, used to work as a coach and scout in Durham

The pedophile was first sentenced to six years in prison in 2012 for abusing young cricketers in the North East between 1990 and 2004.

Six survivors in total later emerged over a 10-year period. Some played at Bill Quay cricket club in Gateshead, where Strange was club captain and coach.

He subsequently received three more prison sentences – in 2016, 2020 and 2022 – increasing his sentence for the offenses to 13.5 years. Strange will now be sentenced for the fifth time on September 7.

Mail Sport revealed last month that Strange was free to train children for up to six months after allegations of child sexual abuse were leveled against him.

Mail Sport then announced in June that the ECB had contacted Northumbria Police to discuss opening an investigation into the pedophile using our approach.

That followed our discovery that a report scrutinizing child protection measures just weeks after the 2016 Andy Woodward football abuse scandal has still not been released seven years later.

In response to the ECB’s confirmation of a review, MPs have expressed concerns about its independence.

Labor MP Sarah Champion said: ‘If the ECB is really committed to protection, it should launch an independent inquiry into how a prolific pedophile could abuse so many children in the line of duty.

It is very likely that many more children than the brave six felt able to report were also abused. The ECB must urgently investigate what went so wrong with their duty to protect children in their care, so that it never happens again.

“Any parent who trusted the ECB to protect their child while Strange was a coach wants to know the truth about how this abuse could have happened. The ECB must do the right thing.’

Labor MP Tony Lloyd said: ‘The cricket authorities have an absolute duty of care towards young or vulnerable people playing cricket. They must show in a transparent manner that they take this matter seriously and that they are acting.

MPs are now calling on the ECB to ensure that the investigation into Strange is independent

“The public is right to demand action and accountability.”

An ECB spokesperson said: ‘Our thoughts are with all of the victims of Michael Strange and we applaud their courage in stepping forward.

“While legal partners do not believe a complex practice review is warranted, the ECB is now exploring an internally led review to identify more information about the environment in which Strange committed his offenses within cricket, and how this informs the ECB’s security strategy.”

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: ‘We can confirm that we have spoken to the ECB and shared the correct information.

“We would always encourage anyone who is a victim of sexual abuse to come forward, no matter how long ago it happened.

“We want victims to know that no matter when they come forward, we are here to support them and are committed to bringing offenders to justice.”