The official policy document released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) breaks down the Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines into two main pillars: Medical Player Care and Supporting Infrastructure.As the women’s game expands, these new global rules ensure that motherhood and elite sports can successfully coexist. The guidelines use a six-stage model called the 6Rs Framework.
It tracks a player's gradual path back to competitive sports:
Ready (0 to 6 weeks):
Players learn about body shifts, weight gain, and mental health. Exercise is highly encouraged, but safety comes first.
Review (6 to 8 weeks):
Initial medical checks. Doctors evaluate pelvic health and muscle healing before letting the player start light physical activity.
Restore (8 to 16 weeks):
Focuses on light, structured training sessions. Exercises help get the body ready for heavier movement.
Recondition (12 to 16 weeks+):
Gradual exposure to cricket-specific movements like bowling, batting, and running between the wickets.
Return:
The player slowly enters competitive environments through a safe, guided, and highly individualized game plan.
Refine:
Doctors monitor sleep quality, workload management, and safeguard the player from over-exhaustion or low energy levels.
Key Support ICC aims to provide to pregnant cricketers
Each player gets a dedicated network. This team includes medical staff, physiotherapists, gym coaches, psychologists, and nutritionists. A specific doctor or physical therapist handles coordination. They schedule player check-ins at critical milestones. These occur at the pregnancy announcement, during the third trimester, at 6–8 weeks post-birth, and every four weeks during team reintegration.
Boards cannot mandate pregnancy tests. The decision of when to announce a pregnancy is 100% up to the player. While stopping match play is generally recommended after the first trimester, there is no fixed age when a player must stop playing. The player decides this along with her doctor.
If a player is under contract but physically unable to play, boards are urged to give them other paid opportunities. These can include temporary coaching, strategy, or game analysis roles. Travel policies will be adapted so that caregivers and babies can join the player on tours. Match venues must also provide dedicated, private spaces for breastfeeding and childcare.
The guidelines were created by the ICC Medical Advisory Committee and led by Dr. Philippa Inge, the team doctor for Australia's women's squad. Dr. Inge stated that the goal is to provide an adaptable template for smaller or less financially equipped member nations to build upon.
