Cricket Australia has lowered the allowable testosterone threshold for transgender women seeking to compete in elite female competitions, aligning its policy with recommendations from the Australian Institute of Sport. The updated regulations, ratified by the Cricket Australia board last month, reduce the maximum permissible serum testosterone concentration from 10 nanomoles per litre to 2.5 nanomoles per litre and extend the required period under this level from 12 months to two years.
The revised policy, which initially took effect in 2019, applies to female and non-binary players who were assigned male at birth. It also introduces a more detailed framework for non-binary participants: those assigned female at birth may compete in male or female elite cricket, while non-binary players assigned male at birth require an expert panel’s assessment to be eligible for female competitions.
These changes affect a range of Cricket Australia’s high-performance events, including the national under-19 female championships and professional leagues such as the Women’s Big Bash League.
The new rules have been confirmed in conjunction with Cricket Australia’s approval of Indian transgender cricketer Anaya Bangar to resume her career in the country. Bangar, daughter of former Indian international Sanjay Bangar, previously played under-19 cricket for Mumbai. She announced last month her intention to play elite cricket in Australia and has been approved to participate starting March, pending a blood test upon her arrival.
The policy alteration and Bangar’s eligibility have sparked a range of reactions within the cricket community. South African player Marianne Kapp publicly criticized the decision, labeling it “absolutely ridiculous” and asserting that such participation should not be permitted. Conversely, former Australian captain Alex Blackwell expressed support for Bangar, citing years of study and reflection on the subject. Blackwell emphasized that Australian law, specifically the Sex Discrimination Act, requires evidence of competitive advantage before excluding athletes, making blanket bans unlawful. She added that Australian sport values inclusion and aims to accommodate all participants, provided the legislative criteria are met.
The International Cricket Council also recently revised its guidelines for transgender players, excluding individuals who have undergone male puberty from participating in women’s international cricket. Meanwhile, Brazilian transgender cricketer Danielle McGahey was nominated for the 2024 Women’s Big Bash League draft but was not selected.
Cricket Australia’s updated stance reflects a broader and ongoing conversation around inclusion, fairness, and competitive integrity in sport, balancing evolving scientific recommendations with legal and social considerations within Australia’s sporting landscape.