Overview
- The ICC released the Return to Play Post‑Pregnancy Guidelines on Monday, June 22, 2026, offering Member Boards a template to manage pregnancy, childbirth and staged reintegration to competition.
- The medical roadmap centres on six staged steps — Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return and Refine — that map early recovery, medical checks, progressive conditioning and ongoing monitoring.
- The guidelines recommend appointing a dedicated case manager and a multidisciplinary team and advise practical supports such as flexible training, childcare, nursing spaces and travel assistance.
- The document protects player privacy by saying pregnancy announcements are the player’s choice and it opposes mandatory pregnancy testing, but it is non‑binding and does not guarantee paid leave or sponsorship protection.
- ICC officials and Dr Philippa Inge framed the move as part of the 100% Cricket women’s health push to retain talent, and Member Boards now face the task of adopting, adapting or extending the template, with uneven implementation likely across regions.