The England men’s captain Ben Stokes says he is “deeply sorry” to those who have experienced racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination in cricket – and acknowledged that the game needs to become more inclusive and diverse.

Stokes said he had not yet had time to read the damning 317-page Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket report, which found that racism was “entrenched” in the sport, and that women are treated as “subordinate” to men, but promised that England’s players would do all they could to ensure that cricket was “a sport for everyone.”

On the eve of the second Test against Australia, Stokes read from a prepared statement to acknowledge the commission’s findings. “To the people involved in the game who have been made to feel unwelcome or unaccepted in the past, I am deeply sorry to hear of your experiences,” he said. “Cricket is a game that needs to celebrate diversity on all fronts because without diversity, this game would not be where it is today.

“As a sport, we need to learn from past mistakes and do all we can to make people feel safe and be themselves at every level,” he added. “I have been an England player since 2011 and I feel very fortunate to have been a part of some incredibly diverse teams and love how everyone has a different story to tell.

“We must go further and be more inclusive and diverse because the game I love – and millions worldwide love – should be enjoyed without fear of discrimination or judgment whether that be due to your upbringing, race or gender.”

The report, based on evidence from more than 4,000 people across recreational and professional cricket, was also critical of how elitist the sport is. However Stokes said that his journey through the game showed that wasn’t always the case.

Cindy Butts (front) and fellow members of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket report. Photograph: Josimar Senior/PA

“Everyone has a different story to tell,” he said. “I am Ben Stokes, born in New Zealand, a state-educated pupil who dropped out of school at 16 with one GCSE in PE. I needed help with the spelling and grammar in this speech and I am currently sitting here as the England men’s Test captain.

“It is clear there is so much more the game has to do and as players we really want to be a part of that to ensure this is truly a sport for everyone.”

The former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq, whose testimony to the DCMS select committee highlighted the extent of racism in the sport, praised the bravery of those who had spoken to the ICEC commission.

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“It doesn’t matter how you speak or where you speak, any sort of decision to speak and contribute to such a huge issue within our society, within our game, takes a lot of courage. I obviously don’t know each and every one of these people [but] I’m just incredibly proud of that bravery.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board is now considering the 44 recommendations made by the ICEC, and has pledged to give its response within three months. However, the report’s author, Cindy Butts, said the testimonies the ICEC had heard were “absolutely horrific” and showed “the culture in cricket is rotten”.

“We heard of women being constantly stereotyped, demeaned, facing predatory behaviour,” said Butts. “We heard from a Muslim former player who had to endure the indignity of his teammates laughing and joking about one of the players using the prayer mat to clean up after sex.”

'Upsetting': Azeem Rafiq highlights inaction of fellow players after ICEC report – video

Stephen Vaughan, the chief executive of Yorkshire, acknowledged that the ICEC report made for “difficult reading” but said it was needed to shine a light on the game.

“The game in itself, and not just cricket but other sports, will have to face up to the fact that there have been historic, endemic issues – not just about race but misogyny, disability and gender,” he said. “Whilst it is difficult, it is a real watershed moment for all of us. People are going to have to have a look in the mirror, sit down with the ECB and we have got three months.”

He added: “I imagine the ECB are going to be pushing an open door on this because people realise transformational change is needed.”

Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson said the document made “for difficult reading” and he believed that “sport must be open to everyone”. Ministers will “speak to” the ECB to discuss the findings of its report further and ensure lessons are learned, No 10 said. “There is no place for racism discrimination, bullying or harassment, in sport nor indeed in wider society” and the report’s findings will be reviewed in detail “to establish what lessons can be learned”, the spokesperson said.