Transgender women have been banned from taking part in all levels of women's cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board has confirmed.
The sporting body said in its updated transgender regulations that 'only those whose biological sex is female' would be able to take part in cricket.
Trans women will be barred from competing in the sport with immediate effect.
However the ECB has stated trans women and girls can continue to participate in the sport when playing in open and mixed categories, BBC reports.
The change in rules comes shortly after the UK Supreme Court ruled the legal definition of women was based on biological sex.
In a statement, the ECB said:
The sporting body said in its updated transgender regulations that 'only those whose biological sex is female' would be able to take part in cricket.
Trans women will be barred from competing in the sport with immediate effect.
However the ECB has stated trans women and girls can continue to participate in the sport when playing in open and mixed categories, BBC reports.
The change in rules comes shortly after the UK Supreme Court ruled the legal definition of women was based on biological sex.
In a statement, the ECB said:
''Our regulations for recreational cricket have always aimed at ensuring that cricket remains as inclusive a sport as possible.
These included measures to manage disparities, irrespective of someone's gender, and safeguard the enjoyment of all players.
''However, given the new advice received about the impact of the Supreme Court ruling, we believe the changes announced today are necessary.
''The sporting body also said that discrimination had 'no place' in the sport, as they vowed to make sure cricket is 'played in a spirit of respect and inclusivity.
''We acknowledge that this decision will have a significant impact on transgender women and girls.
''We will work with Recreational Cricket Boards to support people impacted by this change in our regulations.''We await updated guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and will study this carefully.''
In November 2023, the International Cricket Council also declared that transgender women who had experienced male puberty were banned from taking part in international women's matches.
On April 19, five Supreme Court justices unanimously decided that ''the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act refer to a 'biological woman and biological sex''.
In an 88-page ruling, the justices said: 'The definition of sex in the Equality Act 2010 makes clear that the concept of sex is binary, a person is either a woman or a man.'
On April 19, five Supreme Court justices unanimously decided that ''the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act refer to a 'biological woman and biological sex''.
In an 88-page ruling, the justices said: 'The definition of sex in the Equality Act 2010 makes clear that the concept of sex is binary, a person is either a woman or a man.'
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