ICC post-pregnancy guidelines provide female cricketers, boards and medical teams with a safer framework for successfully returning after childbirth.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced new ICC post-pregnancy guidelines to help female cricketers return safely to the sport after pregnancy and childbirth. The “Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines” are designed as a practical framework for players, national cricket boards, medical teams and coaches.
The policy is built around ensuring that female cricketers are no longer forced to choose between motherhood and competing at international level. It also guides ICC member countries in developing their own pregnancy and return-to-play policies, tailored to players while complying with local laws.
To support players’ physical and mental well-being in practical ways, the guidelines use a framework known as the “6 Rs”:
- Ready (Preparation)
- Review (Assessment)
- Restore (Restoration)
- Recondition (Reconditioning)
- Return (Return to play)
- Refine (Refinement)
The framework covers recovery after childbirth, assessments of medical and psychological well-being, a gradual return to training, the rebuilding of cricket-specific physical fitness and continued monitoring throughout every stage once a player resumes competitive cricket.
The guidelines were developed under the leadership of Dr Philippa Inge, a member of the ICC Medical Advisory Committee and team doctor for the Australian women’s cricket team.
As she explained:
“The main objective here is to demonstrate that childbirth does not have to be the end of a player’s career. This includes many practical aspects such as creating a flexible training environment, providing continuous access to facilities, childcare advice, allocating suitable spaces within stadiums for breastfeeding or child care, and supporting travel whenever possible.”
West Indies cricketer Afy Fletcher also welcomed the initiative. Fletcher returned to international cricket after giving birth in 2021. Calling it one of the best decisions made for women’s cricket, she said the guidelines would strongly encourage players seeking to balance family responsibilities with a professional sporting career.
With women’s cricket expanding rapidly worldwide, retaining talented players and providing the necessary support has become an increasingly important priority. The ICC’s new guidance is therefore expected to be a significant step towards creating the environment, welfare protections and practical assistance players need to successfully combine motherhood with their cricket careers.
