In a significant policy move, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a ban on transgender cricketers participating in women’s cricket at the highest level. The ban applies to transgender players who have undergone any form of male puberty, irrespective of surgery or gender reassignment treatment. The decision aims to safeguard the integrity of international women’s cricket and the well-being of players. The policy change follows a thorough nine-month consultation process with cricket stakeholders, culminating in a final decision by the board.
ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice clarified the decision, stating, “The changes to the gender eligibility regulations resulted from an extensive consultation process and are 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.”
The move comes ahead of cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics, aligning with the guidelines set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). While this decision affects international women’s cricket, gender eligibility at the domestic level remains subject to individual Member boards and local legislation.
