The ICC on Monday released recommendations to cover women players’ early postpartum recuperation, structured training, and conditioning over a 16-week window prior to the comeback in order to guarantee a safe and long-lasting return to cricket.
The six “R’s” of the “Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines” for female cricket players are Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return, and Refine.
“The approach covers early recovery after birth, medical and wellbeing reviews, gradual return to structured training, cricket-specific conditioning, return to play and ongoing monitoring once a player is back in the cricket environment,” the ICC stated in a press release.
A specialized “Case Manager” for players returning to competitive cricket after pregnancy is mentioned in the text. Either a physician or a physiotherapist should serve as the case officer.
Strength-based training would be gradually reintroduced after the initial evaluation, which would concentrate on psychological assistance for the players’ transition to motherhood. Following eight weeks of these evaluations, the players will resume running under the guidance of a physician and physical therapist.
Before the player is cleared to resume playing, all symptoms, including pelvic floor and musculoskeletal problems, are closely monitored.
“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.
“As women’s cricket continues to grow globally, it is essential that we protect player welfare, retain talented athletes and strengthen pathways for current and future generations. These Guidelines reflect our commitment to building a game where women can thrive, both on and off the field,” he added.
According to the ICC, its guidelines enhance player welfare by providing “practical, physical, and psychological guidance” while still being compliant with local laws. According to Indian labor rules, women are entitled to six months of paid maternity leave.
Dr. Philippa Inge, an Australia Team doctor and member of the ICC Medical Advisory Committee, oversaw the Guidelines’ formulation.
Flexible training settings, ongoing access to facilities and services, childcare guidance, appropriate areas for feeding or tending to infants during sporting events, and, if feasible, travel assistance are some of Dr. Inge’s recommendations.
“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,” she said.
Afy Fletcher of the West Indies, who is competing at the current ICC T20 World Cup after giving birth to her kid in 2021, thinks these guidelines would make it possible for more athletes to resume playing cricket after being pregnant.
“It gives you a chance to have your family and then return, so I think that’s one of the best things they could have done for women’s cricket,” she said.
Of her own return to cricket, Fletcher said: “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.”
