ICC Introduces Return to Play Post Pregnancy Guidelines

The International Cricket Council’s Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines introduce a structured six-stage framework i.e. Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return and Refine, to help female cricketers safely resume training and competition after childbirth. The guidelines are intended to support players, Member Boards, coaches and medical teams by setting out practical, physical and psychological considerations for pregnancy, recovery and reintegration into cricket.

Historically, many female athletes postponed motherhood until the end of their sporting careers. With the growing professionalisation of women’s cricket, wider career opportunities and a gradual shift in sports policies, more players are now choosing to start families during their careers, train during pregnancy where medically appropriate, and return to elite cricket after giving birth.

Key features of the guidelines include:

Member Boards Encouraged to Adopt Dedicated Pregnancy Policies

The guidelines state that the decision to disclose a pregnancy must remain entirely at the player’s discretion and that cricket boards should not mandate pregnancy testing. They also emphasise that pregnancy and return-to-play policies must comply with applicable local labour laws, while keeping the wellbeing of both the mother and baby central to all decision-making.

Importantly, the ICC notes that exercise during pregnancy is generally recommended and can be undertaken safely when programmes are appropriately designed, medical advice is followed and any individual contraindications are considered.

Multidisciplinary Support Team Recommended

The guidelines recommend that Member Boards establish a coordinated support system involving both internal cricket personnel and external healthcare professionals. The suggested care team includes cricket medical officers, physiotherapists, strength and conditioning coaches, psychologists, dieticians, player-development staff and coaches, as well as obstetricians, treating doctors, women’s health physiotherapists and the player’s family or chosen support persons.

The ICC also recommends appointing a case manager, typically a doctor or physiotherapist, to act as the primary point of contact and coordinate the player’s return-to-play process. Communication among stakeholders should remain player-focused, flexible and sensitive to the needs of the mother and baby.

Player management meetings, led by the designated case manager, are recommended at key stages: when the pregnancy is disclosed, during the third trimester, six to eight weeks after childbirth following the review process, and every four weeks once the player decides to reintegrate into the cricket environment. These meetings should help shape appropriate training, performance and wellbeing plans while preserving a flexible sporting environment.

Training and Competition During Pregnancy

The guidelines state that exercise during pregnancy is strongly recommended and can generally be undertaken safely. However, they identify several factors that should be assessed on an individual basis, including travel-related risks, medical history, training load, musculoskeletal changes, medication safety, pelvic floor health and any absolute or relative contraindications to exercise.

The player’s pregnancy progress and training load should be reviewed regularly, and players should consult their treating doctors about any medical contraindications. The guidelines recommend that players cease competing at the end of the first trimester. At the same time, they clarify that there is no fixed gestational age at which a player must stop competing; the decision should be made by the player, based on individualised advice from the treating obstetrician or doctor and the cricket medical team, with the health and safety of the mother and baby prioritised.

Six-Stage Return-to-Play Pathway

The Ready phase, covering the first zero to six weeks after childbirth, focuses on healing and recovery, early pelvic-floor activation, and psychological support as the player adjusts to life as a mother. This is followed by the Review stage, generally around six to eight weeks postpartum, which involves medical assessments, pelvic-floor evaluation and the gradual reintroduction of physical activity.

The subsequent Restore phase, from approximately eight to 16 weeks postpartum, focuses on rebuilding strength, conditioning and support systems. During the Recondition stage, from around 12 to 16 weeks and beyond, players progressively return to cricket-specific training while being monitored for fatigue, breastfeeding-related demands, musculoskeletal concerns, pelvic-floor symptoms and injury risk. The final stages—Return and Refine—cover the resumption of competitive cricket and continued assessment of training, travel, recovery and performance requirements.

Measures Suggested to Support Mothers in Professional Cricket

The guidelines encourage practical support measures such as flexible training arrangements, recognition of parental responsibilities, childcare assistance, access for babies and caregivers at training and competition venues, and dedicated breastfeeding or bottle-feeding facilities. They also encourage Member Boards to facilitate travel arrangements, where possible, for children and designated caregivers accompanying players to training or competitions.

The ICC further suggests that cricket organisations consider alternative employment opportunities such as coaching, analysis or administrative roles for players who are unable to compete during pregnancy or the postpartum period. The guidelines also recommend considering extensions of contractual arrangements to support players in their return to cricket.

Resource Framework Included for Member Boards

The guidelines also include a resource framework for players who are pregnant or planning to have a child, as well as for administrators, coaches and medical personnel supporting female athletes. These resources cover pregnancy education, athlete-specific pregnancy guidance, support from preconception to parenthood, exercise during pregnancy, contraindications to exercise and relevant guidance from sporting and medical bodies.

From an Indian perspective, the guidelines are particularly significant because recent reports indicate that, unlike some other major cricketing nations, the BCCI does not yet have a dedicated pregnancy or maternity return-to-play policy for women cricketers. The ICC framework could therefore serve as a useful template for Indian cricket administrators to formalise support after childbirth.

Indian cricketer Sneha Deepthi reportedly returned to domestic cricket for Andhra around seven to eight months after giving birth to her daughter in 2021 and has spoken about the difficulty of doing so without structured professional support. Her experience highlights why a formal, medically guided pathway could be valuable.