Former Sri Lanka cricketer and international commentator Russel Arnold has been named among the inaugural Ambassadors in Cricket Australia’s Multicultural Ambassador Program. Arnold, who earned 225 international caps across all three formats and now works as a commentator and Level 3 High Performance coach, is also known for his philanthropic efforts as a Trustee of the Foundation of Goodness and an Ambassador for the Emerge Lanka Foundation.

Announcing his appointment on social media platform X, Arnold expressed his enthusiasm: “I’m proud to announce I am a Multicultural Ambassador for @CricketAus. Alongside Usman Khawaja, Mel Jones, Wasim Akram, Ravi Shastri, Lisa Sthalekar, Alana King, and more, I will be advocating to create more opportunities to engage, break down barriers that exist, and support the Multicultural Action Plan.”

Arnold, who played from 1997 to 2007, featuring in 44 Tests, one T20I, and 180 ODIs, joins a diverse group of 54 ambassadors, including notable figures like Usman Khawaja, Mel Jones, Wasim Akram, Ravi Shastri, and many others. These ambassadors, from various sectors including government, business, media, and community, will support the objectives of Cricket Australia’s Multicultural Action Plan.

The Multicultural Ambassador Program aims to foster inclusivity and drive positive change by increasing opportunities for multicultural community members to engage with cricket. The ambassadors will provide leadership and insight, focusing on five main areas: Participation, High Performance, People and Representation, Communications and Engagement, and Event and Experience. This initiative is part of Australian Cricket’s Strategic Plan, “Where the Game Grows.”

Cricket Australia’s Multicultural Ambassador Program provides a platform for respected and influential leaders to advocate for inclusion and diversity, helping to break down barriers and create a more connected and supportive environment for multicultural participants in cricket and the wider community.