England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) bans transgender women from women's cricket

 ECB bans transgender women from women's cricket

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has banned transgender women from all women’s and girls’ competitive cricket, effective May 2, 2025, expanding its October 2024 policy. Previously, trans women who underwent male puberty were barred from top tier domestic cricket and the Women’s Hundred but could play in tier three and recreational levels. The new rule, driven by a UK Supreme Court ruling in April 2025, defines “woman” and “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act as biological sex, allowing sports bodies to exclude trans women for fairness and safety. The ECB, aligning with the International Cricket Council’s 2023 ban on trans women in international women’s cricket, consulted medical and scientific evidence and stakeholders to ensure competitive equity while promoting inclusion. Trans women can still participate in open or mixed cricket formats. The decision has divided opinions: groups like the Women’s Rights Network support it for protecting women’s cricket, while organizations like Sex Matters argue it does not fully address fairness at grassroots levels. The ECB recognizes the significant impact on trans women and girls and will collaborate with recreational cricket boards to support affected players, awaiting further guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. This policy follows similar bans in UK sports such as football, rugby, swimming, and athletics, reflecting a broader trend post ruling. On X, reactions range from praise for safeguarding women’s sports to calls for stronger grassroots protections. The ECB’s move highlights the complex balance between inclusion and fairness, aiming to uphold cricket’s integrity while navigating legal, social, and scientific challenges in an evolving sports landscape.

See also: The FA Imposes Ban on Transgender Women in Women's Football in England