In a significant policy update, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that, starting in 2025, transgender players will no longer be permitted to participate in elite women’s domestic cricket if they have undergone male puberty. The decision will impact the top two tiers of women’s cricket, including high-profile competitions like The Hundred.
The new rule aligns with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) 2023 guidelines, which similarly prevent transgender women who have gone through male puberty from competing in international women’s matches.
ECB Aligns Elite Women’s Cricket Policies with International Guidelines
The ECB’s move ensures consistency across both international and domestic cricket at the highest levels of women’s competition in England. In a statement, the board explained that the elite domestic structure’s primary aim is to nurture future international players, and the new regulations reflect that purpose.
The decision was made following extensive consultations with various stakeholders and an in-depth review of scientific and medical evidence.
After considering a wide range of perspectives and scientific data, the ECB has chosen to adopt the same approach as the ICC for professional women’s domestic cricket starting in 2025,
the ECB stated.
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Balancing Fairness and Inclusion
While transgender athletes will no longer be eligible for top-tier competitions, the ECB emphasized that they will still be able to participate in lower-level domestic cricket, such as county and recreational leagues. This approach is designed to maintain inclusivity in grassroots cricket while addressing fairness in elite competition.
The ECB also noted that the ICC has committed to reviewing its policy within two years, though it remains uncertain if the ECB will follow suit. In the meantime, the board plans to refine and implement the full details of the policy in collaboration with stakeholders ahead of the 2025 season.
