Marizanne Kapp questions Cricket Australia over Anaya Bangar's inclusion in women's cricket
Anaya Bangar was shown a pathway by Cricket Australia to return to competitive cricket.
Cricket has increasingly found itself at the centre of conversations surrounding inclusion, eligibility criteria and fairness. As women’s cricket expands globally, many cricket boards and governing bodies are having to determine how different players can participate across various categories.
Such policies could trigger a sharp reaction, as cricket groups are now beginning to consider sidelining gender-related issues.
The competitive framework of elite sport saw Cricket Australia recently decide on a player seeking to make a return to women’s competitive cricket, after having undergone a major sex change operation.
Cricket Australia has granted Anaya Bangar, the daughter of former cricketer Sanjay Bangar, who has undergone gender-affirming surgery, permission to participate in elite women’s cricket under its regulations.
The development has attracted the attention of the cricket fraternity from around the world, particularly due to the player’s connection to sex change.
Marizanne Kapp calls Cricket Australia decision ‘Absolutely Ridiculous’
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South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has strongly criticised Cricket Australia’s decision to provide Anaya Bangar with the pathway back into competitive women’s cricket.
After the announcement was officially made, Kapp posted an Instagram story mentioning the decision “Absolutely Ridiculous” and stating that it “should not be allowed.”
Bangar, the daughter of Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar, underwent this surgery back in March 2026. Cricket Australia’s decision was made under its Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy.
Cricket Australia claimed that she could become eligible for elite women’s cricket from March 2027, provided that she continues to meet the policy requirements.
According to CA’s policy, players must demonstrate a specific level of testosterone in their serum to participate in women’s elite cricket. The levels should be below 10 nmol/L continuously for at least 12 months before they can be drafted into the system.
Hence, Bangar was informed that she would be eligible to be part of the women’s elite leagues from March 2027.
The expert panel that ran a background and medical check on Bangar included CA’s Head of Integrity Jacqui Partridge, Integrity Partner and Legal representative Emily Yates, Head of Scheduling, Operations and Domestic Cricket Peter Roach, Anti-Doping Medical Officer Dr Peter Harcourt and Team Doctor Dr Pip Inge, who considered Anaya’s case before confirming the pathway.
This decision does not guarantee the cricketer’s selection for the Women’s Big Bash League. However, this issue will remain part of the broader conversation regarding a player’s physical capabilities, which can far exceed those of female cricketers. Kapp’s criticism only adds a high-profile voice to the debate.
Where did Anaya Bangar play cricket before?
Anaya Bangar played age-group and under-19 youth cricket for Mumbai in India.
What was Anaya Bangar’s name before the gender-affirming surgery?
Anaya Bangar’s name before her gender transition was Aryan Bangar.
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Subhomoy Datta has been a sports writer since 2022. He holds a BSc in Microbiology from Rastraguru Surendranath College, WBSU, and is currently pursuing his master’s at NIT Surathkal. With a growing interest in sports journalism, he enjoys following the game closely and turning sporting moments into stories for fans.