1 week ago
Anaya Bangar Cleared for Australian Community Cricket, Elite Future Conditional
Anaya Bangar is a transgender cricketer who wants to keep playing women’s cricket.
Cricket Australia has said she can play women’s Community Cricket in Australia immediately.
This includes Premier Cricket competitions in any state or territory until March 2027.
She is still recovering from gender-affirming surgery and is looking for a club.
Playing in elite competitions, such as the Women’s Big Bash League, has extra rules.
Her testosterone must stay below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months.
She must also provide another blood test after arriving in Australia.
The International Cricket Council does not allow transgender players who experienced male puberty to play elite women’s international cricket.
India’s cricket board has not yet made a policy for transgender women in domestic cricket.
Cricket Australia cleared transgender cricketer Anaya Bangar to play women’s Community Cricket immediately.
Bangar is recovering from gender-affirming surgery and seeking an Australian club.
She can play Premier Cricket in any Australian state or territory until March 2027.
Elite Cricket eligibility requires serum testosterone below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months, with further testing.
The International Cricket Council bars players who experienced male puberty from elite women’s international cricket, while the BCCI has no finalized policy.
- Who
- Anaya Bangar, Cricket Australia, the International Cricket Council, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
- What
- Cricket Australia cleared Bangar for women’s Community Cricket while making Elite Cricket eligibility conditional on testing and other policy requirements.
- Where
- Australia, including Premier Cricket competitions in any state or territory.
- When
- Community Cricket participation is immediate; Premier Cricket eligibility runs until March 2027, when further Elite Cricket testing is required.
- Why
- Cricket Australia reviewed Bangar’s medical records, blood and testosterone tests, surgery documents, and research report under its eligibility policy.
Inclusion and continued participation
Eligibility rules and competitive safeguards
Community cricket access
Inclusion and continued participation
Bangar described the clearance as a major opportunity to return to cricket after fearing she might never play again. She said Cricket Australia’s approach could help other athletes like her.
Eligibility rules and competitive safeguards
Cricket Australia distinguishes Community Cricket from Elite Cricket, allowing immediate participation while retaining additional conditions for elite competitions.
Elite women’s cricket
Inclusion and continued participation
Bangar has advocated for transgender-athlete policies based on athlete data rather than what she called outdated perceptions, citing her hormone-therapy testing and research report.
Eligibility rules and competitive safeguards
The International Cricket Council excludes transgender players who experienced male puberty from elite women’s international cricket, while Cricket Australia requires testosterone testing and continued compliance with its policy for Elite Cricket.
Indian cricket eligibility
Inclusion and continued participation
Bangar said she contacted the Board of Control for Cricket in India for clarity about eligibility but had not received a response.
Eligibility rules and competitive safeguards
The Board of Control for Cricket in India says it has not formally decided whether transgender women may play domestic cricket.
Key facts
- Player
- Anaya Bangar is a 25-year-old former Mumbai Under-19 cricketer and the daughter of former India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar.
- Current clearance
- She can immediately play women’s Community Cricket in Australia.
- Premier Cricket
- She is eligible for Premier Cricket competitions in any Australian state or territory until March 2027 because they are classified as Community Cricket.
- Elite Cricket threshold
- Cricket Australia requires serum testosterone to remain below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months.
- Additional test
- From March 2027, Bangar must provide a blood test after arriving in Australia confirming that her testosterone remains below 10 nmol/L.
- Potential competition
- Bangar could seek eligibility for the Women’s Big Bash League if she meets the requirements and performs well.
- International and Indian policies
- The International Cricket Council barred transgender players who experienced male puberty from elite women’s international cricket in 2023; the Board of Control for Cricket in India has not finalized a policy.
Quotes
Jacqui Partridge
Cricket Australia’s Head of Integrity
“Because of Cricket Australia and its progressive and inclusive policies, which focus on fairness and inclusion in women’s sport for trans women, this is a huge milestone, not just for me, but for other athletes like me who want to try, but aren’t because they have to either choose the sport or choose transition”
indianexpress.com
“Your eligibility for Elite Cricket from that date (March 2027) is conditional upon you providing a blood test upon your arrival in Australia confirming that your serum testosterone concentration remains below 10 nmol/L and that you continue to satisfy the Policy’s eligibility requirements.”
indianexpress.com
livemint.com
telegraphindia.com
Sources
‘Great day’ says trans athlete Anaya Bangar after Cricket Australia okays participation
Anaya Bangar Gets Clearance For Community Cricket In Australia After Gender Affirming Surgery
Anaya Bangar returns to cricket after gender-affirming surgery, but not in India; ‘Thought I would never play again’
Trans athlete Anaya Bangar can play cricket in Australia, WBBL entry remains conditional
Related news
Anaya Bangar Gains Australian Cricket Pathway From 2027
Marizanne Kapp Challenges Anaya Bangar's Australian Cricket Eligibility
Cricket Australia Clears Anaya Bangar’s Women’s Cricket Pathway
Cricket Australia Clears Transgender Indian Player for Elite Cricket
Anaya Bangar Responds to Kapp’s Criticism Over WBBL Pathway
Anaya Bangar Cleared for Australian Community Cricket, Eyes WBBL
