ECB bars transgender women from women’s cricket

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that transgender women are no longer permitted to play in all levels of women’s cricket.

The ECB updated its transgender regulations to allow “only those whose biological sex is female” to play both girls’ and female cricket.

Transgender women and girls can continue playing in the open and mixed cricket categories, according to the ECB.

The policy change comes in response to a 15-page ruling from the UK Supreme Court, which stated that biological sex is the legal basis for a woman’s legal definition.

The ECB stated in a statement that “our regulations for recreational cricket have always aimed to ensure that cricket remains as inclusive as possible.”

“These included measures to manage disparities, regardless of a player’s gender, and preserve the enjoyment of all players.

We think the changes announced today are necessary in light of the new information received regarding the impact of the Supreme Court decision.

The ECB continued, “Than no place in our sport is there” and that it is “committed to ensuring cricket is” played in a spirit of respect and inclusion.”

Transgender women were able to compete in the third tier of the home.

In response to the Supreme Court’s decision, The Football Association became the first major governing body for the sport to change its transgender eligibility standards on Thursday.

Later that day, England Netball made a change to its rules, removing transgender women from its female category.

The new regulations, which start effective on September 1st, recognize three distinct gender participation categories: male, mixed, and female.

Mixed netball will serve as the sport’s inclusive category, allowing players to complete their achievements regardless of gender, while the female category will be “exclusive for players born female, regardless of their gender identity”.

Transgender women were exempt from the female category last month by The Ultimate Pool Group (UPG), the professional body for eight-ball pool.

Other governing bodies are reviewing their transgender eligibility criteria, including the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).

Transgender women taking part in women’s athletics, cycling, and aquatics are currently outlawed.