ECB Expands Ban on Transgender Women in Women's Cricket

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that, effective immediately, only individuals whose biological sex is female are eligible to participate in women's and girls' cricket at any level, following a recent UK Supreme Court ruling defining 'woman' under equality law as biological females. Transgender women and girls are still permitted to play in open and mixed cricket. The ECB stated that, while its previous policies aimed to ensure inclusivity, the legal changes necessitated the new regulations. The decision acknowledges the significant impact on transgender women and girls, and the ECB has pledged to support those affected while awaiting further guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The move aligns cricket's policy with similar recent changes in other English sports, such as football, and reflects the governing body's commitment to both legal compliance and inclusivity. The ECB reiterated its stance against abuse or discrimination within the sport.