No player should have to choose between motherhood and representing country, says ICC Chairman Jay Shah
New Delhi, June 22
After the International Cricket Council unveiled a comprehensive set of 'Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines' to safeguard the welfare of female cricketers who choose to start a family and return to competitive cricket, Chairman Jay Shah said the policies are a reminder that no player should have to choose between motherhood and representing her country at the highest level.
"The continued growth of women's cricket must be built on opportunity, inclusion, and care for our players at every stage of their lives and careers. No player should have to choose between motherhood and representing her country at the highest level," said Shah in a statement on Monday.
The guidelines aim to normalise conversations around women's health and ensure that motherhood and professional cricket are not seen as mutually exclusive. The guidelines feature a six‑step '6 Rs' pathway - Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return, and Refine.
The likes of West Indies leg-spinner Afy Fletcher, former New Zealand captain Amy Satterthwaite, ex-Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof, and former Australia batter Sarah Elliot are examples of female cricketers who took the field after giving birth to their kids.
Shah also stressed the fact that the guidelines would empower ICC's member boards to better manage the careers of elite female athletes who are also mothers. "The ICC's Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines are an important step in creating a more supportive and informed environment across the game.
"By providing Members with practical guidance, we want to ensure that female cricketers are supported through pregnancy and empowered to return to cricket with confidence," he said.
The document also recommends the appointment of dedicated case managers to oversee a player's return-to-play journey, regular management reviews at critical stages of pregnancy, and a strict policy stating that boards must not mandate pregnancy testing, ensuring the decision to announce a pregnancy rests entirely with the player.
"As women's cricket continues to grow globally, it is essential that we protect player welfare, retain talented athletes, and strengthen pathways for current and future generations. These Guidelines reflect our commitment to building a game where women can thrive, both on and off the field," added Shah.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The 6 Rs pathway sounds promising, but I hope it's not just on paper. Indian boards and state associations need to implement this properly. Otherwise, it'll remain just another guideline gathering dust. Let's see how BCCI adopts this.
As a working woman, this hits home. We need more policies like this across all sports in India. Maternity shouldn't be a career-ender. The appointment of dedicated case managers is a great move - proper support system matters. 😊
Good initiative, but I'm skeptical about implementation in countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh where women's cricket infrastructure is still weak. The no-mandatory-pregnancy-testing rule is excellent though - that's a basic right that needed protecting.
So proud of this! Women's cricket in India has come so far. Remember when Mithali Raj had to choose between personal life and cricket? Things are finally changing. Hope to see more Indian players follow suit and balance both. 🇮🇳🏏
As an Australian, I've seen our players like Sarah Elliot and Rachael Haynes manage this well. Great to see ICC formalizing these guidelines globally. It's about time cricket caught up with other sports in supporting working mothers.
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