First transgender cricketer set to make their debut

Danielle McGahey is set to be the first transgender cricketer to play on the international stage after being named in the Canadian squad for a World Cup qualifying tournament.

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The International Cricket Council has a set of criteria that any trans player would need to meet before being allowed to compete. McGahey has fulfilled all of these.

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Other sports have banned trans-athletes from competing, this includes rugby and athletics.

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Per the BBC, McGahey was born and raised in Australia before moving to Canada where she transitioned socially in 2020 before medically transitioning in 2021.

Speaking to BBC Sport, McGahey said, “I am absolutely honoured. To be able to represent my community is something I never dreamed I would be able to do.”

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In order to meet the ICC rulings, McGahey would have to prove, “the concentration of testosterone in her serum has been less than 5 nmol/L1 continuously for a period of at least 12 months, and that she is ready, willing and able to continue to keep it below that level for so long as she continues to compete”, per the ICC criteria.

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When speaking to the BBC, McGahey revealed she has been, “doing blood tests every month now for over two years. I also have to put in my player profile who I have played against and how many runs I've scored.”

She has also had to provide information from her doctor to the ICC as part of their decision-making process.

According to McGahey the process is, “very personal in terms of the information you are giving over - all your medical information, history of puberty, any surgeries. There's a lot in it. But the protocols are there and it has been used as intended.”

The ICC also released a statement confirming McGahey’s eligibility, stating, “We can confirm that Danielle went through the process as required under the ICC's player eligibility regulations and as a result has been deemed eligible to participate in international women's cricket”