Apex Cricket Council approves new gender eligibility regulations and Stop Clock on trial basis in Men’s white-ball formats

During a meeting on Tuesday, the Apex Cricket Council (ACC) discussed various agendas, including Sri Lanka cricket, gender eligibility regulations, and the trial introduction of a stop clock in men’s ODI and T20I cricket. After a 9-month consultation process with stakeholders in the sport, the cricket governing body approved new gender eligibility regulations for international cricket.

The new policy which was set out by ACC prioritizes the protection of the integrity of the women’s game, safety, fairness, and inclusion. Accordingly, any Male to Female participants who have undergone any form of male puberty will be ineligible to participate in the international women’s game, regardless of any surgery or gender reassignment treatment they may have undertaken.

“The new policy is based on the following principles (in order of priority), protection of the integrity of the women’s game, safety, fairness and inclusion, and this means any male-female participants who have been through any form of male puberty will not be eligible to participate in the international women’s game regardless of any surgery or gender reassignment treatment they may have undertaken,” the ACC stated.

In addition to this, Chief Executive Geoff Allardice mentioned that changes to gender eligibility regulations, based on extensive consultation and scientific foundations, prioritize inclusivity but aim to protect the integrity and safety of women’s cricket.

Five runs would be penalized for not starting the over in 60 seconds

The Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) has approved a plan to fast-track the development of female match officials, aiming to equalize match day pay for ACC umpires in men’s and women’s cricket. Additionally, starting January 2024, every ACC Women’s Championship series will feature one neutral umpire. On a trial basis from December 2023 to April 2024, a stop clock rule has been introduced in men’s ODI and T20I cricket to enhance the pace of the game, monitoring the time between overs.

“If the bowling team is not ready to bowl the next over within 60 seconds of the previous over being completed, a 5-run penalty will be imposed the third time it happens in an innings,” the ACC stated.