Cricket Governing Body bans transgender players from taking part in international women’s cricket

In what can be described as a bold decision, the Cricket Governing Body has imposed a permanent ban on transgender players in international women's cricket. This was one of the notable rule changes made at the board's meeting on Tuesday, November 21. The governing body said that the decision was taken to protect the integrity of women's cricket and the safety of the players.

As per the new rule, any cricketer who has transitioned from male to female and has been through any form of male puberty will not be allowed to participate in women's international cricket. This applies regardless of the surgery or treatment the player has undergone. It is learned that a nine-month consultation process was held with the stakeholders before reaching the decision. 

"The new policy is based on the following principles (in order of priority), protection of the integrity of the women's game, safety, fairness and inclusion, and this means any Male to 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 Cricket Governing Body said in a statement.

Danielle McGahey's dream of playing in 2024 T20 World Cup shattered 

With the new rule coming into effect, Canada's Danielle McGahey will no longer be able to any matches at the highest level. McGahey was the first transgender cricketer to play women’s international cricket. The Brisbane-born cricketer played six WT20Is for Canada back in September 2023 in the Women's T20 World Cup Americas Region Qualifier. McGahey's dream of playing in the T20 World Cup in 2024 has been dashed.

The 29-year-old moved from Australia to Canada in February 2020, after which he transitioned from male to female. “I am absolutely honoured. To be able to represent my community is something I never dreamed I would be able to do," McGahey had said. The wicketkeeper batter's participation in international cricket was considered as a big step in the equal rights policy of the governing body.