ICC launches return-to-play post-pregnancy rules for female cricketers:’No player should’ve to choose between motherhood and cricket,’ says Jay Shah

The International Cricket Council (ICC), for the first time, has launched a Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines for female players in a bid to help them come back to the game after pregnancy. Under these, member boards have been recommended to provide medical, training, childcare, and travel-related assistance during players’ pregnancy, childbirth, and return to cricket. As per an ICC statement, the Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines are designed to help the member nations develop their own pregnancy and return-to-play policies, in line with local legislation, while supporting player welfare through practical, physical and psychological guidance. Former Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof had returned to cricket six months after giving birth in 2021. Team India star mriti Mandhana had hailed her as an ‘inspiration’. Female players’ return will be easier after pregnancy The new guidelines include the ‘Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return, and Refine’ model. Under these guidelines, a player’s early recovery after birth, medical and well-being reviews, gradual return to structured training, cricket-specific conditioning, return to play and ongoing monitoring once a player is back in the cricket environment. The ICC has emphasized appointing a case manager for each player, medical team supervision, and planning a return based on the player’s needs. Dr. Philippa Inge of the Australian women’s team said that motherhood is not the end of a player’s career. “The ICC’s Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines are designed to show players that having a baby doesn’t need to be the end of their career, and what we’re aiming to do with this policy is allow Member nations to facilitate the return to cricket for their players,” she said. “We know that many Members haven’t necessarily had these in the past, and the aim has been to make them adaptable for the unique environments in which our Members need to use them. The guidelines serve as a template for Members, and strong support for an athlete returning to cricket post-pregnancy needs to be individualised to the specific needs of them and their family,” added Inge. WI’s Afy Fletcher, who gave birth in 2021, welcomed the move Fletcher is competing for the West Indies in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the 39-year-old welcomed the move. “I think it’s really good that the ICC is giving cricket boards policies to look after women after pregnancy,” she said, adding, “It gives you a chance to have your family and then return, so I think that’s one of the best things they could have done for women’s cricket.” While speaking on her own return to cricket, Fletcher said, “Physical recovery was challenging, but more than that, I struggled to leave my child and miss creating precious moments. That’s why every moment I play on the field is driven by him. Every player’s journey is different, but you have to have strong support, get healthy and trust the process.” ‘No player should have to choose between motherhood and representing her country’ Speaking on this move, ICC chairman Jay Shah said, “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. “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. 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,” he added.