The England and Wales Cricket Board ECB has barred trans women who have gone through male puberty from playing women’s professional cricket for the national side.
This new policy brings the ECB into line with the ICC, which last year also introduced a policy of barring trans women who have gone through male puberty from the international game. The decision by the ECB follows a lengthy consultation process, extended after the ICC’s policy announcement.
“Having considered wide-ranging views gathered during the consultation. As well as the relevant science and medical evidence, the ECB has decided that from 2025 it will adopt the same approach as the ICC for women’s professional domestic cricket,” an ECB statement said. This is targeted at providing consistency. In particular, given one of the key aims of the top domestic competitions should be to develop international players.
The ECB hopes to finalize the detailed policy in the coming months through consultations with stakeholders. It will come into official effect in time for the 2025 domestic season. This policy will apply to both Tiers 1 and 2 of the new women’s domestic structure, including The Hundred Women’s competition.
The ECB’s previous policy allowed transgender women to compete professionally if cleared on a case-by-case basis. However, this change does not affect players at the recreational levels. They can still compete in competitions that match their gender identity.
This aligns the ECB with the ICC but puts them at odds with several other domestic cricket boards. Cricket Australia, for example, has no age limit on a transgender player’s transition period. But does require trans women to have a testosterone level below 10 nanomoles per liter. For at least 12 months before entering professional women’s cricket.
It thus concluded that the ECB realized the issue of transgender participation in sports was not an easy one with the most compelling arguments on both sides. “We want everyone to feel included and welcome in our sport,” it said. It also asserted that the new policy strikes the right balance. Whereby it can ensure fairness in elite competitions while maintaining inclusion at the recreational level. Also it has measures in place to manage any disparities that arise and ensure a safe environment for everyone.
It is a decision of the ECB and should hopefully strike a balance between equity and inclusivity in the sport.
ANI
