{"id":184541,"date":"2026-06-23T07:56:23","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T13:26:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=184541"},"modified":"2026-06-23T07:56:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T13:26:23","slug":"iccs-post-pregnancy-policy-drawn-from-ioc-fifa-but-moulded-uniquely-for-cricket","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=184541","title":{"rendered":"ICC\u2019s post-pregnancy policy: Drawn from IOC, FIFA but moulded uniquely for cricket"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The ICC\u2019s first ever \u2018post-pregnancy return to play\u2019 guidelines draw from the existing advisories of IOC and FIFA but remain uniquely cricket-specific in addressing psychological and logistical challenges, says Dr. Philippa Inge, the body\u2019s Medical Advisory Committee member who led the drafting of the document.<\/p>\n

In an interview to PTI<\/i>, the Melbourne-based Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician, also spoke about the process that went into creating the guidelines, its potential impact and the challenges that were flagged by the cricketers.<\/p>\n

Dr. Inge is also the team doctor of the Australian women\u2019s squad and is currently with the side in England for the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s obviously some guidelines that the IOC (International Olympic Committee) have put together. Other organisations such as FIFA (football world body) have a really comprehensive document as well. We\u2019ve certainly used those documents to help shape what we\u2019ve done here,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

WHAT IS THE ICC\u2019S POST-PREGNANCY GUIDELINE? CLICK HERE FOR THE EXPLAINER<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cProbably the unique piece that we\u2019ve tried to put on this one is the practical lens that actually reflects the cricket-specific issues. What does it look like in terms of training during that time? What sort of skills need to be integrated and when?\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe certainly haven\u2019t reinvented the wheel here. We\u2019ve obviously used a lot of other resources that exist across other sporting nations as well. We tried to pull together what we hope is a really tangible and practical set of guidelines.\u201d The guidelines were unveiled on Monday outline a six \u2018R\u2019s framework: Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return and Refine.<\/p>\n

They are similar to the step-wise return to play programme of FIFA, which also covers managers along with players.<\/p>\n

The IOC has not come up with a specific policy but has outlined the medical clearances needed for return to play through a consensus statement some years ago, which forms the basis of postpartum policies for national bodies worldwide.<\/p>\n

Dr Inge said the ICC was nudged by member nations to come up with the guidelines and it took one year of deliberations to frame them.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo essentially these sort of came to life after a number of member nations came to the ICC requesting some advice around return to play postpartum. I think we did our first draft of the guidelines probably close to 12 months ago. We then sought feedback from all member nations within their medical teams as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are guidelines that member nations can use to adapt in their own environment. Ideally, they provide a platform for athletes to see that they can have a baby. There is a process in which they can return to playing cricket as well,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

\"Former<\/p>\n
Former Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof returned to cricket after the birth of her daughter.
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\n Video Grab\/ICC\n <\/p>\n

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Former Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof returned to cricket after the birth of her daughter.
\n | Photo Credit:
\n Video Grab\/ICC\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Among the prominent women cricketers who attempted comebacks after becoming mothers is former Pakistan captain Bismah Mahroof, who eventually quit the game in 2024.<\/p>\n

West Indies\u2019 Afy Fletcher, however, is competing at the ongoing World Cup after giving birth to her son in 2021.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ | Trailblazing twins Jill and Jane Powell look back at evolution of women\u2019s game<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

On the biggest challenges that were identified during the course of the guidelines\u2019 formulation, Dr. Inge said, \u201cI think the biggest one that came to light was the logistics behind it and how to actually go about that return.\u201d She said during her interactions with cricketers, she found them to be highly driven and keen to have a career post motherhood.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s how to actually start some of those conversations. That is particularly important if they\u2019re within an organisation that hasn\u2019t necessarily done it before. The other one is the logistics behind it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do I, if I want to breastfeed, practically do that on the ground? How do I make sure I\u2019ve got enough energy available to be able to do that? What are the dietary considerations behind it? What would it look like for travel?\u201d she revealed some of the questions that came her way.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe physical stuff — I think every athlete has been through issues where there are physical limitations. But it\u2019s the practicalities and psychological overlay which I think certainly needed to be considered with these guidelines,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

Dr. Inge acknowledged that not every country would have the resources to implement the guidelines at full scale. The appointment of a Care Manager, as suggested, for individual cases could itself be a task. But she said they are flexible enough for everybody to gain from them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe really key thing we wanted to do here was not to provide stringent advice,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a framework in which athletes and their team medical staff and conditioning staff can use and adapt for their unique environments,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

PODCAST | Watch Sportstar\u2019s Matchpoint Paradox where the team dissects India\u2019s loss to South Africa and how the semifinal race is shaping up in the Women\u2019s T20 World Cup<\/h4>\n
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