Danielle McGahey announces retirement after ICC transgender ruling
Following a major change to the ICC’s gender eligibility requirements, which banned transgender people from competing in women’s international matches, McGahey retired from international cricket.
New Delhi, November 22: Danielle McGahey, the first transgender person to play international cricket, has said that “with a very heavy heart” her international career for Canada is “over”.
Following a major change to the ICC’s gender eligibility requirements, which banned transgender people from competing in women’s international matches, McGahey retired from international cricket.
“Following the ICC decision this morning, it is with a heavy heart that I have to say that my international cricket career is over,” McGahey posted on Instagram. “As quickly as it started, it must end now.”
The ICC Board on Tuesday approved new rules under which any player who has transitioned from male to female and has undergone any form of male puberty will not be allowed to participate in international women’s cricket, regardless of any surgery or gender reassignment treatment they undergo. have undertaken.
McGahey, 29, originally from Australia, moved to Canada in 2020 and underwent a medical transition from male to female in 2021.
In September 2023, she played for Canada in the Women’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier, which serves as the route to the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup.
“While I have my opinions on the ICC’s decision, they are irrelevant,” McGahey wrote.
“What matters is the message being sent to millions of trans women today is a message that says we don’t belong. I promise that I will not stop fighting for equality for us in our sport. We deserve the right to play cricket at the highest level, we pose no threat to the integrity or safety of the sport.”
McGahey played six T20Is and scored 118 runs at an average of 19.66 and a strike rate of 95.93.