ICC Unveils Post-Pregnancy Return-to-Play Guidelines for Women Cricketers

With women's cricket becoming increasingly professional and career opportunities expanding, more players are choosing to start families during their playing careers and return to elite cricket after childbirth. The new guidelines are aimed at supporting that journey and form part of the ICC's broader commitment to player health, wellbeing and the continued growth of the women's game.

The health and welfare of female cricketers remain central to the ICC's approach to women's cricket, one of its six strategic priorities. Under its 100% Cricket movement, the ICC has already introduced several women's health initiatives to educate players and staff, build awareness and encourage open discussions on key health issues in sport.

The guidelines are designed to help Member Boards create their own pregnancy and return-to-play policies in line with local laws, while offering practical, physical and psychological support for players.

To ensure a safe and sustainable return, the framework follows the 6 Rs approach: Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return and Refine. The model covers early recovery after childbirth, medical and wellbeing assessments, gradual reintroduction to training, cricket-specific conditioning, return to competition and ongoing monitoring.

The drafting process was led by ICC Medical Advisory Committee member and Australia team doctor, Dr. Philippa Inge. The guidelines also address practical support measures such as flexible training environments, access to facilities and services, childcare support, dedicated spaces for feeding or caring for babies at venues, and travel assistance where possible.

Dr. Inge said the guidelines aim to reassure players that having a baby does not have to mark the end of their cricket careers. She noted that the framework has been designed to be adaptable across different cricketing environments and emphasised that support should be tailored to the needs of each player and her family.

West Indies cricketer Afy Fletcher, who returned to international cricket after giving birth to her son in 2021 and is set to compete at the ICC Women's World Cup 2026, welcomed the initiative.

Fletcher said the guidelines would help more women return to cricket after pregnancy. Reflecting on her own experience, she described physical recovery as challenging but said the emotional difficulty of being away from her child was even greater. She stressed the importance of strong support systems, good health and trusting the recovery process.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah said the growth of women's cricket must be built on opportunity, inclusion and care, adding that no player should have to choose between motherhood and representing her country at the highest level.

He described the new guidelines as an important step toward creating a more supportive environment across the sport and said they would help ensure female cricketers are empowered to return to the game with confidence. Shah added that protecting player welfare, retaining talent and strengthening pathways for future generations are essential as women's cricket continues to grow globally.