Danielle McGahey set to become the first transgender player to play international cricket

She transitioned in 2020 and medically transitioned in 2021

Danielle McGahey set to become the first transgender player to play international cricket

McGahey is set to become the first Transgender person to play international cricket (Image via newsdrum)

29-year-old Danielle McGahey is all set to represent Canada in the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup America Qualifiers. The competition is a part of the qualifying process for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. 

McGahey is originally from Australia. Before transitioning, McGahey used to play for a club in Melbourne. After shifting to Canada in 2020, she played for the men’s team of the Cavaliers Cricket Club. The next year she started playing for the women’s team after transitioning in 2021.

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In 2022 she was included in the Canada squad for the 2022 Women’s South American Cricket Championship being hosted in Brazil. As Canada didn’t have WT20 status then, the matches they played were not counted as international games. She scored 124 runs in 4 matches, including a 73 against Brazil. 

Danielle McGahey is set to become the first Transgender person to play an international match in the history of the sport. She will be participating in the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup qualifiers. Canada will compete with the United States of America, Argentina and Brazil.

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McGahey’s inclusion in the tournament faces a lot of oppositions

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Danielle McGahey (Image via X)

Although Danielle McGahey matches all of ICC’s Male to Female transgender eligibility criteria, there’s been a lot of criticism of her selection. In various other sports like swimming, athletics, etc, trans women athletes have faced loads of opposition due to the biological advantage they have. 

Many fans on plenty of social media sites have opposed the inclusion of McGahey in Women’s cricket. Many fans think she has an advantage over her peers due to her biological advantage and also due to the fact that she wasn’t born a woman. 

Fans across sports have asked for more protection for their female athletes. Although McGahey does adhere to ICC’s criteria, ICC is currently reviewing its guidelines. ESPN reports that this review has been one since March and is being led by a medical advisory committee.

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