Anaya Bangar gets pathway to return to elite women’s cricket in Australia from 2027

Anaya Bangar has been given a pathway to return to competitive women’s cricket in Australia, with Cricket Australia confirming that she could become eligible for elite-level cricket, including the Women’s Big Bash League pathway, from March 2027, subject to its transgender and gender-diverse players policy.

Anaya, daughter of former India cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, has been away from competitive cricket for several years. She is currently eligible to play Premier Cricket, which falls under community cricket, in any state or territory of Australia until March 2027.

Cricket Australia’s expert panel considered Anaya’s case under its ‘Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy’ and determined that she can pursue elite cricket from March 2027, provided she continues to meet the policy requirements.

Under the policy, players seeking to compete

Under the policy, players seeking to compete in the female category of elite cricket must have a serum testosterone concentration below 10 nmol/L continuously for at least 12 months.

According to an email sent to Anaya by Cricket Australia, that requirement will be satisfied in March 2027. Her eligibility from that point will remain conditional on a blood test confirming that her testosterone level continues to meet the prescribed threshold, along with compliance with the other policy requirements.

Anaya said the decision marked an important moment after years away from competitive cricket and stressed that the process had not been automatic.

Today is an important day for me because

“Today is an important day for me because after several years away from competitive cricket, I can finally speak about a pathway back to the sport that has been such a significant part of my life,” she said.

She said Cricket Australia’s review considered her medical and surgical history, hormone and testosterone levels, cricketing background, playing footage and scientific and athletic performance work undertaken with Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport.

Anaya also said her most recent blood test in July recorded total testosterone at 0.6 nmol/L, which she said was within the female reference range reported by the laboratory.

If she continues to satisfy the policy requirements

If she continues to satisfy the policy requirements in March 2027, Anaya will be eligible to pursue selection for elite women’s cricket, including the WBBL pathway.

She was also clear that eligibility does not guarantee selection.

“Cricket Australia has given me a pathway, which does not mean that I have been given a place in a team. I still have to train, compete, perform and earn that opportunity,” she said.

“I don’t expect my history or my identity to earn me a place on a cricket team. I want my cricket to earn me a place on a cricket team.”

Anaya acknowledged the ongoing debate around fairness

Anaya acknowledged the ongoing debate around fairness and competitive integrity in women’s sport but said inclusion and fairness could be considered together through evidence-based sporting policies.

For her, the decision also represents an opportunity to return to the sport she has played for much of her life.

“When I transitioned, one of the most difficult possibilities I had to confront was that cricket might no longer have a place for me. I spent years trying to find a way back. Today, I finally have a pathway to try,” she said.

Anaya said she hoped her journey would contribute to a more informed discussion about transgender athletes in sport and how sporting bodies can approach eligibility questions through individual assessment, evidence, fairness and respect.