1 week ago
Anaya Bangar Gains Australian Cricket Pathway From 2027
Anaya Bangar is a 25-year-old cricketer who wants to return to competitive cricket.
She is the daughter of former India cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar.
She previously played age-group cricket for Mumbai.
Cricket Australia has said she can play women’s community cricket in Australia until March 2027.
After that, she may try to enter elite women’s cricket, including the Women’s Big Bash League pathway.
She must continue meeting Cricket Australia’s testosterone and other policy requirements.
A blood test in March 2027 will help confirm her eligibility.
Anaya says being eligible does not mean she already has a place on a team.
She will still need to train, compete, perform, and earn selection.
Anaya Bangar has been cleared to play community-level women’s cricket in Australia until March 2027.
Cricket Australia says she may pursue elite women’s cricket, including the WBBL pathway, from March 2027 if she meets its policy requirements.
Her eligibility will depend on a blood test confirming testosterone below 10 nmol/L, a threshold required continuously for at least 12 months.
Bangar’s review considered her medical and surgical history, hormone levels, cricket background, footage, and performance research.
She previously played Mumbai under-19 cricket, received no reported response from the BCCI, and says eligibility would not guarantee team selection.
- Who
- Anaya Bangar, a 25-year-old cricketer and daughter of former India cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar.
- What
- She has received a pathway to play Australian community cricket and potentially pursue elite women’s cricket from March 2027.
- Where
- Australia; Bangar previously played age-group cricket for Mumbai.
- When
- She can play community cricket until March 2027, when her elite eligibility will be reassessed through a blood test and other policy requirements.
- Why
- She wants to return to competitive cricket after transitioning and after receiving no reported response from the BCCI about playing women’s cricket.
Inclusion and Sporting Opportunity
Eligibility and Competitive Integrity
Return to cricket
Inclusion and Sporting Opportunity
Bangar says Cricket Australia’s individual review gives her a chance to return to a sport that has been a significant part of her life.
Eligibility and Competitive Integrity
Her immediate clearance covers community cricket, while elite participation remains conditional on further policy requirements.
Elite eligibility
Inclusion and Sporting Opportunity
Bangar argues that evidence-based policies can consider inclusion and fairness together and provide a pathway based on individual circumstances.
Eligibility and Competitive Integrity
Cricket Australia requires continuing compliance with testosterone and other criteria, while the International Cricket Council prohibits trans athletes who experienced male puberty from elite women’s international cricket.
Selection standards
Inclusion and Sporting Opportunity
Bangar says she wants her cricketing performance, rather than her identity or history, to determine whether she earns a place.
Eligibility and Competitive Integrity
Eligibility only permits her to pursue selection; she would still need to compete and meet the sporting standards required for a team.
Key facts
- Community cricket
- Bangar is currently eligible to play Premier Cricket, which is classified as community cricket, in any Australian state or territory until March 2027.
- Elite pathway
- She may pursue elite women’s cricket, including the Women’s Big Bash League pathway, from March 2027.
- Testosterone requirement
- Cricket Australia requires testosterone below 10 nmol/L continuously for at least 12 months for female-category elite cricket eligibility.
- Recent test
- Bangar said her July blood test recorded total testosterone of 0.6 nmol/L.
- Review process
- Cricket Australia considered her medical and surgical history, hormone levels, cricket background, playing footage, and scientific and athletic performance work.
- Previous cricket
- Bangar previously represented Mumbai in under-19 age-group cricket.
- Selection status
- The pathway does not guarantee selection; Bangar said she must train, compete, perform, and earn a place.
Quotes
Anaya Bangar
Trans-athlete cricketer seeking a pathway into elite women’s cricket
“I am preparing to return to women's cricket in Australia with the aim of pursuing elite cricket from March 2027. I am not claiming that I have made a team. I am saying that I have been given the opportunity to compete for one. and I intend to work for it.”
rediff.com
“It is a great day for me, especially after knowing the fact that I can play cricket. There was a stage when I thought I would never play cricket again, but thanks to Cricket Australia, it has given me another chance.”
wionews.com
Sources
Anaya Bangar opens up on cricket comeback and WBBL dream
Anaya Bangar gets pathway to return to elite women’s cricket in Australia from 2027
Trans athlete Anaya, daughter of ex-India coach Sanjay Bangar, set to play cricket in Australia
'I Don't Expect My History...': Anaya Bangar Set For Competitive Comeback In Australia, Eyes Elite Women's Cricket From March 2027 | Video
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