The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that transgender women will be barred from competing in the top two tiers of women’s cricket, including The Hundred, starting next season.
Following last year’s update to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) transgender policy, which prohibited individuals who have undergone male puberty from participating in international women’s matches, the ECB has adopted a similar approach for domestic leagues in England and Wales.
The ECB stated that this decision was made after consulting relevant scientific and medical evidence, with considerations of fairness, safety, and inclusivity influencing their stance.
Importantly, the ECB clarified that this policy will only apply to the top two divisions. The newly launched third tier, set to begin next year, will not be affected by these rules. Recreational cricket will continue to be open to individuals based on their identified gender.
This new policy complements the existing “policy on inequality,” which addresses any individual with a significant advantage in strength, stamina, or physical attributes that may compromise safety or fairness.
The ECB has communicated this decision in advance, with the official policy expected to be presented before the start of the 2025 season.
“The ECB acknowledges that transgender participation is a complex area with a wide range of established views, and it is impossible to balance all considerations equally. We want everyone to feel included and welcomed in our sport, and we believe the position we’ve reached ensures the right balance, guaranteeing fairness in elite-level cricket while promoting inclusivity at the recreational level, with specific safeguards to address inequality and ensure safety.”
Transgender athletes have previously been barred from competing in other elite women’s sports, with similar policies in place for swimming, cycling, athletics, rugby league, and rugby union.
