In a move that’s stirred debate across sporting circles, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has officially barred transgender women and girls from competing in female-only cricket matches. The decision, announced on Friday, comes into effect immediately and follows closely on the heels of a UK Supreme Court ruling that excludes transgender individuals from the legal definition of women. This update places a clear restriction—only individuals assigned female at birth will now be eligible to participate in women’s and girls’ cricket in England and Wales. Transgender athletes, however, remain welcome in open and mixed-gender formats. The ECB emphasized that this ruling wasn't a matter of choice but a legal requirement brought on by the recent court verdict. The move mirrors a similar action taken by the English Football Association (FA) just a day earlier. That body declared that, starting June 1, transgender women would no longer be permitted to play in women's football. The shift marks a broader trend of national sporting bodies reassessing gender policies under increasing legal and social scrutiny. Read also: KCA Suspends Sreesanth for 3 Years, Plans to Sue Samson’s Father Legal push sparks rule change amid inclusion debate The Supreme Court’s ruling on April 15 followed a legal challenge by the group "For Women Scotland," which argued that protections based on biological sex should not extend to individuals who transitioned after birth. This ruling has set the tone for sports organizations like the ECB, which must now adjust their policies to stay within the boundaries of the law. Still, the ECB says inclusivity remains at the heart of its values. In its statement, the board expressed regret over the impact this decision may have on transgender athletes and pledged to work with recreational boards to support affected individuals. The board statement said: "With immediate effect, only those whose biological sex is female will be eligible to play in women's cricket and girls' cricket matches. Transgender women and girls can continue playing in open and mixed cricket. Our regulations for recreational cricket have always aimed at ensuring that cricket remains as inclusive a sport as possible. These include measures to manage disparities, irrespective of someone's gender, and safeguard the enjoyment of all players. However, given the new advice received about the impact of the Supreme Court ruling, we believe the changes announced today are necessary." The ECB reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward abuse and discrimination, stressing that cricket must remain a respectful space for all. As the sport adapts to evolving legal frameworks, the balance between fairness and inclusion continues to challenge governing bodies worldwide.