Anaya Bangar Gets Support From Transgender Cricketer Who Knows Her Fight

Danielle McGahey knows exactly what Anaya Bangar is going through.

Nearly three years after making history as the first transgender cricketer to play an official international match, McGahey saw her own international career end after the ICC changed its eligibility rules. Now, with Cricket Australia opening a pathway for Bangar to pursue elite women’s cricket from March 2027, McGahey has offered her full support.

“I want to express my full support for Anaya. I’m incredibly proud of her for continuing to pursue the sport she loves while facing an enormous amount of public scrutiny,” McGahey told India Today in an exclusive interview.

Bangar will be able to play Premier Cricket in Australia in the meantime, before potentially progressing into elite domestic cricket and, eventually, the Women’s Big Bash League. However, meeting the eligibility requirements will not automatically guarantee selection or a contract.

BANAGAR’S PATHWAY, ICC’S DIFFERENT RULES

The decision has also highlighted the difference between Cricket Australia’s domestic policy and the ICC’s international regulations.

Cricket Australia follows a testosterone-based eligibility framework for domestic competitions. The ICC, meanwhile, introduced a stricter policy in November 2023 following a nine-month consultation.

Under the ICC’s current rules, transgender women who have experienced male puberty are not eligible to compete in international women’s cricket, irrespective of surgery or gender reassignment treatment.

The issue has generated strong reactions within the cricketing world. South Africa international Marizanne Kapp has criticised Cricket Australia’s decision, calling it “absolutely ridiculous”.

McGahey, however, believes the debate needs to be informed by scientific research rather than assumptions about transgender athletes.

“My position remains very clear: trans women are women, and trans women belong in women’s sport,” she said.

She pointed to research showing changes in strength, muscle mass and other performance-related measures following gender-affirming hormone therapy, arguing that discussions around transgender participation should take those findings into account.

MCGAHEY’S INTERNATIONAL CAREER ENDED

McGahey’s support for Bangar comes from personal experience.

The Australian-born cricketer moved to Canada and made history in September 2023 when she played her first T20I against Brazil, becoming the first transgender player to feature in an official international cricket match.

She went on to play six T20Is for Canada, scoring 118 runs at an average of 19.66, with a top score of 48.

At the time, McGahey was eligible under the ICC’s existing transgender participation regulations. But on November 21, 2023, the governing body approved a new policy barring transgender women who had experienced male puberty from international women’s cricket.

The rule change abruptly ended her international career.

“With a very heavy heart, I must say that my international cricketing career is over,” McGahey said after the decision.

‘THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR PERSONAL ATTACKS’

McGahey said the criticism aimed at Bangar has reminded her of what she experienced after making international cricket history. “What has been particularly disappointing for me is seeing Anaya subjected to much of the same ridicule, hostility and dehumanising commentary that I experienced three years ago,” she said.

While acknowledging that sporting bodies and fans can have differing views on eligibility rules, McGahey said those disagreements should not become personal. “Anaya is a human being who is simply trying to live her life and pursue her career in cricket,” she said.

“Whatever someone’s opinion on sporting regulations may be, there is no justification for attacking someone personally.” Bangar’s immediate focus will now be on returning to competitive cricket and proving herself on the field.

For McGahey, however, Bangar’s journey represents a struggle she knows personally — trying to continue playing the sport she loves while her identity, eligibility and future remain the subject of intense public debate.