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New Delhi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a major change for women’s cricket by launching Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines. The new policy creates a clear, science-backed path for players looking to return to international and domestic cricket after giving birth. As the women’s game turns fully professional, this move ensures that starting a family does not mean an athlete has to retire early.

The guidelines give individual member boards the freedom to shape their own rules based on local laws while keeping player welfare at the center. TheICC explicitly stated that all pregnancy decisions remain entirely with the players, meaning cricket boards cannot force athletes to take pregnancy tests.

“No player should have to choose between motherhood and representing her country at the highest level. The ICC’s Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines are an important step in creating a more supportive and informed environment across the game,” ICC Chairman Jay Shah said.

The core of this new policy relies on a clear 16-week framework known as the 6 Rs: Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return and Refine. It gives players a slow and safe roadmap to return to competitive fitness, starting with early pelvic floor recovery and psychological care right after birth, before moving into running and sports-specific drills.

Along with this, the returning players will also be assigned a dedicated Case Manager, who must be a doctor or a physiotherapist to oversee their health.

Dr. Philippa Inge who is an Australian team doctor will lead the drafting of these rules and\explained the ultimate goal of the project.

“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,” Dr. Inge said.

The guidelines go far beyond physical fitness, ordering boards to provide practical help like flexible training hours, childcare assistance and proper feeding areas at stadiums. It even suggests allowing caregivers to travel with the team on away tours so mothers are not separated from their babies.

West Indies bowler Afy Fletcher, who returned to the game after having her son in 2021 welcomed the news while playing in the current T20 World Cup.

“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,” Fletcher said.

The move marks a significant step forward for women’s cricket, reinforcing the ICC’s commitment to supporting female athletes and ensuring that motherhood is no longer seen as a barrier to a successful and long-lasting cricket career.