The ECB is investigating after the person who racially abused Jofra Archer in New Zealand contacted the England bowler directly on social media.
Sussex fast bowler Archer was leaving the field of play on day five of the opening Test in Mount Maunganui, where England attempted in vain to save the match as they lost by an innings and 65 runs, when he suffered the abuse.
It is not clear at this stage whether that contact formed part of an apology, or further abuse.
Archer has reported the Instagram message to ECB officials and they have passed it on to New Zealand Cricket.
It is thought the message sent to Archer could play a big part in officials identifying the culprit, with that information eventually passed on to police.
Ashley Giles, the managing director of England's men's team, said of Archer's contact with the perpetrator: "I am aware of that, yes.
"It should be quite easy [to find the person] and New Zealand Cricket are into it right now. I'm pretty sure they will find out who it is and come down pretty hard."
He also urged spectators to do more to ensure racism is stamped out of cricket, saying: "I'm sure someone else must have heard it and I hope they come forward.
"[If] people are sitting next to this and not reporting it to stewards then there is something seriously going wrong with our society.
"We can't accept that it's just part of society, it happens in lots of sport, we hear about it daily, and we don't need it in cricket.
"I'm sure there is a lot that goes on that isn't reported, unfortunately. There are measures and all sorts of abuse that goes on, I know from my experience, and this is one of those forms that is the worst."
David White, New Zealand Cricket's chief executive, personally apologised to Archer on Tuesday when England arrived in Hamilton for the second Test, which is live on Sky Sports from Thursday.
White says the person that abused Archer faces a lifelong ban from attending matches in the country, as well as possible criminal charges.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has said he will apologise directly to Archer before the second Test starts.
Archer took to Twitter after the incident at the ground to give his thoughts on what had happened.
"A bit disturbing hearing racial insults today whilst battling to help save my team," Archer wrote on Twitter.
"The crowd has been amazing this week except for that one guy, the Barmy Army was good as usual also."