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Rainbow Laces: Somerset's Steven Davies supports campaign

"We have to constantly work at this and there are still problems out there but campaigns like this are only going to help."

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Somerset cricketer Steven Davies, who came out as gay in 2011, has given his support for the ECB and Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign

Somerset’s Steven Davies, who came out as gay in 2011, has given his support for Stonewall and the ECB’s Rainbow Laces campaign.

Players, umpires and Sky commentators are wearing rainbow laces at NatWest T20 Blast and Kia Super League matches between August 10-13 in a show of support for equality for lesbian, gay, bi and transgender people.

Rainbow decorations are adorning cricket stumps, while rainbow flags will be part of the guard of honour for every match.

Davies told Sky Sports ahead of Somerset's Blast game with Kent on Saturday that the initiative shows cricket is accepting of all.

CANTERBURY, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Steven Davies of Somerset hits a boundary during the NatWest T20 Blast South Group match at The Spitfire Ground on July 27,
Image: Steven Davies: "It shouldn't matter whether you're gay, straight, bisexual and this indicates that it doesn't matter and that the sport of cricket is accepting to all."

"I think it's great the ECB and Stonewall have combined to create all of this," said Davies, 31. "It is something really close to my heart.

"It shouldn't matter whether you're gay, straight, bisexual and this indicates that it doesn't matter and that the sport of cricket is accepting to all.

"I certainly don't feel like we're there and it's all finished. We have to constantly work at this and there are still problems out there, but campaigns like this are only going to help.

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Somerset batsman Marcus Trescothick, whose stress-related illness led to the premature end to his England career, also praised the Rainbow Laces campaign.

He hopes it allows people to become more comfortable in discussing personal issues.

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The ECB will join Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign as umpires, stumps and cricket grounds are given a rainbow makeover at all T20 Blast and Kia Super League games

"People just don't like talking about the problems they have and the issues they might be dealing with," Trescothick told Sky Sports.

"The more we highlight these issues - whether it's mental health or the Rainbow Laces campaign - and the more people talk about it, the more awareness is going to grow.

"People will understand and accept and know it's okay to talk about it."

On Davies, who moved to Somerset from Surrey over the winter, Trescothick added: "Steven is open to talking to people and explaining how he dealt with coming out."

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