The ECB has banned trans women who have gone through a male puberty from playing women's professional cricket in England and Wales.
The move brings the ECB into line with the ICC's policy that was updated last year to block trans women who have gone through a male puberty from playing international cricket. It comes at the end of an extensive consultation process, which was extended following the ICC's policy announcement.
A statement from the ECB on the news read: "Having considered wide-ranging views gathered during the consultation, as well as in consultations conducted during 2023, and 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. This provides consistency, given that a primary purpose of the top end of the domestic structure is to produce international players.
"The detailed policy will now be developed over the coming months, in consultation with stakeholders, and is due to be formally in place in time for the 2025 domestic season. It will apply to Tiers 1 and 2 of the new women’s domestic structure from 2025, as well as The Hundred Women’s competition."
The previous ECB policy allowed trans women to compete in women's professional competitions, provided they were given clearance by the ECB to do so, and instances were assessed on a case-by-case basis. The decision to change that policy does not affect players at a recreational level, under which individuals are accepted to play in the competitions matching the gender they identify as.
While the decision brings the ECB into line with the ICC's policy, it puts them at odds with policies of other domestic boards. Cricket Australia currently have no requirements around the age of a transgender player's transition, but specify that a trans women must keep their concentration of testosterone in serum to less than 10 nanomoles per litre continuously for 12 months or more in order to play in women's professional competitions.
The ECB statement concluded: "The ECB recognises that transgender participation is a complex area, with many strongly held views, and it is impossible to balance all the considerations. We want everyone to feel included and welcome in our sport, and believe the position reached strikes an appropriate balance by ensuring fairness in the elite game while ensuring inclusivity at a recreational level, with specific safeguards in place to manage disparities and ensure safety."
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