Anaya Bangar replies to Marizanne Kapp’s comments | PC- AFP/X.com
Anaya Bangar has been in the limelight ever since Cricket Australia almost gave her a green light to play women's cricket in the country. Although she has yet to get clearance to play professional cricket, it is still a landmark moment for Bangar and many more transitioned cricketers.
Notably, Bangar transitioned from male to female in late 2024. Moreover, before transitioning, she had played under-19 cricket in Mumbai with the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Musheer Khan.
Anaya Bangar responds to Marizanne Kapp
Soon after Anaya Bangar made public that she might get clearance to play cricket in Australia, South African modern-day great Marizanne Kapp called out Cricket Australia (CA) for the decision.
Soon after transgender cricketer Anaya Bangar announced that she might receive clearance to play cricket in Australia, South African modern-day great Marizanne Kapp called out Cricket Australia (CA) for the decision.
Just like many, Kapp also comes from the same school of thought that believes transitioned cricketers would have an unfair advantage if they were allowed to play in women’s cricket.
In her reply to Kapp, Anaya Bangar used scientific research to strengthen her case. According to the transitioned cricketer, she has undergone a 12-week program in Manchester, which ensures she doesn't have an unfair physical advantage in women’s sport.
Also Read: List Of Transgender Cricketers In Women's Team
"I think I understand the place where she's (Marizanne Kapp) coming from. To counter the point about the unfair advantage aspect: there has been testing done by the Manchester University Institute of Sport. They did a 12-week-long testing program with me regarding my body's athletic capabilities after being on hormone replacement therapy for a year," Anaya Bangar said while talking to Times Now.
"That test concluded that my physical parameters fall within the cisgender female athlete range," she added.
Meanwhile, back in 2023, the ICC had banned transgender players from women's international cricket, after Canada’s Danielle McGahey, who transitioned from male to female, played six T20Is during the Women's T20 Americas Qualifier.
What did Marizanne Kapp say about Anaya Bangar?
After Anaya Bangar made a big revelation public about getting the green light to play in Australia, star South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp opened up and criticised the decision made by Cricket Australia.
While dismissing Bangar’s case to play women's cricket, Kapp stated, “Absolutely ridiculous, this should NOT be allowed!”
Moreover, the all-rounder, who represents Melbourne Stars in the WBBL, tagged the league’s official handle while speaking her mind on Instagram.
If allowed, when can Anaya Bangar start playing professionally?
As revealed by Anaya Bangar, CA has written to the transitioned cricketer, allowing her to play professionally in the country from March 2027, given she maintains a serum testosterone concentration below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 continuous months to become eligible as a female cricketer.
Having said that, she has been cleared to participate in Premier Cricket competitions in any State or Territory of Australia.
This means that even if she receives clearance from CA, the former Mumbai U19 cricketer won't be allowed to feature in the upcoming edition of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL 2026), which will run from October to December this year.
Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Calls Himself A Wicket Taker, Reveals Ishan Kishan Considered It A Mistake
