Anaya Bangar responds to Marizanne Kapp's criticism over her return to women's cricket

Anaya Bangar has responded to criticism from South Africa all-rounder Marizanne Kapp over her bid to return to competitive women’s cricket, urging those opposed to her participation to “educate themselves” on the subject.Kapp had strongly criticised Cricket Australia’s decision to offer Anaya a pathway back into competitive women’s cricket, calling it “absolutely ridiculous” and saying “this should not be allowed”. The comments came after Cricket Australia cleared Anaya, daughter of former India cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, for a pathway towards elite women’s cricket under its Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy. Anaya, who underwent gender-affirming surgery in March this year, is currently eligible to play community cricket in any state or territory of Australia. Her eligibility for elite cricket from March 2027 remains subject to the policy requirements.

Anaya’s potential return has generated reactions on both sides, with the 25-year-old now responding directly to Kapp’s criticism. “I think people who want to raise their voice against it should actually educate themselves on this topic, and I've already provided the necessary information in terms of not having any unfair advantage, and also complying with the guidelines set by Cricket Australia. “If anyone's personal opinion is in that sort of way, I hope they go and educate themselves,” she said with a shrug while speaking to PTI. Anaya is hoping to eventually pursue a pathway to the Women’s Big Bash League, although she is yet to sign up with a local club. Her immediate focus is on playing at the community level and proving herself through her performances.

‘Baby steps from here’

Anaya said she had spent a long period in “survival mode” and was only now beginning to process everything she had experienced during her transition and the long road back to cricket. “...basically now, the next role is to go there and play club cricket and prove myself by my performances, and if I do well, I hopefully might have a chance to be picked for the Women's Big Bash League. So, baby steps from here, but the major part of having a place to play has been cleared,” she said.

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She is currently in talks with a few cricket clubs and is waiting to decide on the right one “to go there and start playing.” For Anaya, the CA decision represents a significant breakthrough after years away from competitive cricket. While she has been given a pathway, it does not guarantee selection in any team. Anaya further added that the process was neither “automatic or informal”, with CA considering her medical and surgical history, hormone and testosterone levels, cricketing background, playing footage and scientific and athletic performance work undertaken with Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport. She also said her most recent blood test in July recorded total testosterone at 0.6 nanomoles, which she said was within the female reference range reported by the laboratory.

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