‘Absolutely ridiculous’: Marizanne Kapp slams Cricket Australia’s Anaya Bangar decision

Marizanne Kapp and Anaya Bangar NEW DELHI: South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has strongly criticized Cricket Australia’s decision to offer transgender cricketer Anaya Bangar a way back into competitive women’s cricket, calling the development “absolutely ridiculous” and saying it “should not be allowed”.Kapp’s reaction came after Australian media reported that Cricket Australia (CA) had allowed Anaya, the daughter of former Indian cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, to return to competitive cricket as part of its Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket policy. The decision has since become a major point of discussion in the cricketing world.In a message on her Instagram, Kapp wrote: “Absolutely ridiculous. This should not be allowed.”Anaya underwent gender confirmation surgery in March this year and is now on her way to elite women’s cricket in Australia. He can play community cricket in any state or territory of Australia until March 2027 as per the CA decision.

Marizanne Kapp’s Instagram story

CA clears the way for Anaya to return to competitive cricket

From March 2027, Anaya can become eligible for elite women’s cricket if she continues to meet the policy’s requirements, including the prescribed testosterone threshold.The panel of experts comprised of CA Head of Integrity Jacqui Partridge, Integrity Partner and Solicitor Emily Yates, Head of Planning, Operations and Domestic Cricket Peter Roach, Anti-Doping Physician Dr. Peter Harcourt and team physician Dr. Pipa Inge considered Anaya’s case before confirming the trip.“According to Cricket Australia’s Policy, a player wishing to participate in Women’s Elite Cricket must demonstrate that their serum testosterone concentration has been below 10 nmol/l continuously for at least 12 months,” CA said in an email to Anaya.The governing body added that, based on the medical information submitted, the requirement would be met in March 2027. Her eligibility from that point on would remain conditional on a blood test confirming that her testosterone level remains below 10 nmol/l and that she continues to meet the requirements of the policy.Anaya said the process was neither “automatic nor informal” and that the CA took into account her medical and surgical history, hormone and testosterone levels, cricket background, game footage and scientific and sports performance work done with Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport.She also revealed that her last blood test in July recorded total testosterone at 0.6 nanomoles, which she said was within the reference range for women reported by the lab.

Anaya: “Ability is not a choice”

However, for Anaya, the CA decision represents an opportunity rather than a guarantee of a place in elite cricket.“I want to be very clear on the next point. Eligibility is not a selection. Cricket Australia has given me a path, which does not mean I have been given a place in the team. I still have to train, compete, perform and earn this opportunity,” she said.“I don’t expect my history or my identity to get me a place in the cricket team. I want my cricket to get me a place in the cricket team,” she added.Anaya acknowledged the high standard of women’s cricket and the legitimate debate about fairness and competitive integrity in women’s sport, but argued that inclusion and fairness need not be mutually exclusive.“That’s why I respect the process that Cricket Australia followed in considering my case,” she said, adding that one of the most difficult options she faced after the transition was that cricket might no longer have a place for her.She said she had been trying to find a way back for years and that the CA decision had finally given her “a path to try”.Anaya’s journey could eventually include the opportunity to continue in the Women’s Big Bash League, provided she meets the eligibility requirements in March 2027.