Transgender women will not be able to feature in the first two tiers of the new women’s domestic structure or the Women’s Hundred, the England and Wales Cricket Board has announced.

An updated transgender policy reflects last year’s decision by the International Cricket Council, which banned anyone who had reached male puberty from participating in women’s international games.

In banning transgender women from playing professional women’s cricket at domestic level, the ECB said it had consulted “relevant scientific and medical evidence” and considered “fairness, safety and inclusion”.

However, the ECB has confirmed that the third tier of the new national system, due to launch next year, as well as recreational cricket, will welcome individuals of the gender with which they identify.

This comes with a caveat of an already established “disparity policy,” which covers anyone with appreciable strength, endurance, and/or physical advantage that could pose a safety or fairness concern.

The ECB has announced that transgender women will not be able to compete in the first two levels of the new national structure.

Transgender women will also not be able to compete in the Hundred, under the new policy (Pictured: victorious Hundred champions London Spirit)

A statement from the ECB, which will roll out the new policy in time for the 2025 domestic season, said: “Considerable time has been taken to arrive at this policy position.

“The ECB recognizes that transgender participation is a complex area, with many strongly held views, and that it is impossible to balance all considerations.

“We want everyone to feel included and welcome in our sport, and believe that the position achieved strikes an appropriate balance in ensuring fairness in the elite game while ensuring inclusiveness at the recreational level, with safeguards “specific measures in place to manage disparities and ensure safety.”

Transgender athletes have been banned from competing in elite women’s competitions in other sports such as swimming, cycling, athletics, rugby league and rugby union.

Current ECB policy stated that anyone identifying as female could compete in professional clubs and course teams in England, provided they had written permission.

Speaking about the ECB update, Dr Seema Patel, Associate Professor at Nottingham Law School, said: “Recognizing the importance of participation at community and local level is incredibly positive. »

Patel, who was part of the Cricket Disciplinary Commission panel that investigated the Yorkshire racism scandal, added: “Having extensively examined gender eligibility for 20 years, my research reveals that there is a trend towards ineligibility of trans female athletes competing in the women’s category. based on the notions of biological advantage, safety and equity.

Dr Seema Patel said regulatory limitations, while important, must be considered in an ever-changing environment.

“However, there are inconsistencies in the application of this approach and the effectiveness of a long-term ban is not yet clear.” During the consultation processes adopted by the governing bodies, there must be genuine engagement from a wide range of perspectives beyond the scientific community to determine the rules.

“Setting regulatory boundaries is important, but these must be considered in a changing environment where gender diversity is embedded in our society and identity is evolving.”