The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a new ruling in the game and has banned transgender women from playing international women’s cricket. According to the new policy, “any male or female participants who have been through any form of male puberty will not be eligible to participate in the international women’s game, regardless of any surgery or gender reassignment treatment they may have undertaken”.
The board claimed that the decision was based on the principles of “fairness and inclusivity” and was taken to “protect the integrity of the women’s game.” They said that they have taken this decision after many discussions and proper consultations with the ICC Medical Advisory Committee. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice further said that while they want to make the game more inclusive their priority is to, “protect the integrity of the international women’s game and the safety of players.”
Canada's Danielle McGahey announces the end of her international cricket career due to ICC's recent decision.#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/VlBXaru4Q6
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) November 22, 2023
The decision by the board has drawn criticism, particularly from Canadian wicketkeeper batter Danielle McGahey.
McGahey became the first transgender player to take part in an international game. She is originally from Australia and played grade cricket with the men’s team in Melbourne. She moved to Canada in 2020 and in 2021 made the medical switch and started being identified as a woman. She was selected as part of Canada’s women’s team and represented them in the ICC T20 World Cup Americas qualifier this year. She played 6 matches and scored 118 runs at 19.67 with a top score of 48.
McGahey expressed her disappointment at the decision. She wrote in an Instagram post, “Following the ICC’s decision, it is with a very heavy heart that I must say that my international cricketing career is over. As quickly as it has begun, it must now end.”
According to her, it is a step back towards achieving inclusivity in the game and despite the ruling, she would not stop her fight to promote equality in the game.
“While I hold my opinions on the ICC’s decision, they are irrelevant. What matters is the message being sent to millions of trans women today, a messaging saying that we don’t belong. I promise I will not stop fighting for equality for us in our sport, we deserve the right to play cricket at the highest level, we are not a threat to the integrity or safety of the sport. Never stop fighting!” she concluded.
Vaishnavi is a passionate author with an unwavering love for cricket, particularly women’s cricket. Her writing reflects her deep admiration for the sport and her dedication to promoting women’s participation in it. When she’s not following the latest cricket matches, Vaishnavi can be found engrossed in books or enjoying movies.