Danielle McGahey has become the first-ever transgender cricketer to play in women’s international cricket.
The Australian-born player, who transitioned to a woman in November 2020, has been named in Canada’s squad for the Americas Qualifier for the Women’s T20i World Cup 2024.
The announcement has sent shockwaves worldwide with many criticizing the International Cricket Council (ICC) for harming women’s cricket.
Olympic swimmer and and prominent advocate for safeguarding women’s sports, Sharron Davies criticized the ICC’s stance, calling it “outrageously irresponsible.” Davies has been a vocal proponent of tightening rules in England and Wales to protect female athletes from any perceived advantages that transgender women might have in sports competitions.
The 29-year-old, who moved to North America in February 2020 and transitioned to a woman in November the same year, has met the International Cricket Council’s transgender guidelines, meaning she can play in forthcoming matches, having undergone medical transition since May 2021.
However, with tougher rules now in place for the likes of cycling, rowing and swimming, leading campaigners said cricket should have considered the broader potential safety risk.
Amidst the public backlash an ICC spokesperson has issued the statement:
We can confirm that Danielle went through the process as required under the ICC’s player eligibility regulations and as a result has been deemed eligible to participate in international women’s cricket on the basis that she satisfies the MTF transgender eligibility criteria.
A spokesperson for Cricket Canada added, “Danielle’s selection was based on ICC’s player eligibility regulations for male-to-female transgender players.
Danielle McGahey, who used to play as male cricketer in the Australian domestic circuit will make history when she takes part in the upcoming qualifying tournament that is set to kick off in Los Angeles from September 4-11.
