ICC bars transgender women from International Women’s Cricket

The International Cricket Council has barred transgender women from competing in international women’s cricket, citing a commitment to uphold the sport’s integrity and players’ safety. Emphasising fairness and inclusion, the decision aims to safeguard the essence of women’s cricket. These regulations, centred on game integrity, safety, and inclusivity, will undergo evaluation within two years.

The eligibility criteria stipulate that individuals assigned male at birth, undergoing male puberty, regardless of subsequent gender-affirming procedures, won’t qualify for international women’s cricket. After a nine-month consultation, the ICC board, including England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Richard Thompson, finalised these gender eligibility rules. This decision marks a pivotal step in ensuring fairness and maintaining the spirit of competition in the women’s cricket arena.

“The changes to the gender eligibility regulations resulted from an extensive consultation process and is founded in science and aligned with the core principles developed during the review. Inclusivity is incredibly important to us as a sport, but our priority was to protect the integrity of the international women’s game and the safety of players.” ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice said.

Regulations imply only to International Women’s Cricket barring domestic circuit

These regulations pertain solely to the international realm of women’s cricket, granting each national cricket governing body autonomy in deciding domestic gender eligibility. The England and Wales Cricket Board advocates accepting transgender women based on their self-identified gender, emphasising inclusivity and individual recognition within their stance.

A “disparity policy” addresses safety concerns arising from variations in speed, strength, or skill among players. This echoes World Athletics’ move in March, barring individuals who experienced male puberty from competing in female world ranking events. The new international cricket policy aligns with this decision, aiming to maintain fairness and safety within the sport.