Should ICC Make Childcare Facilities Compulsory at Stadiums? Post Pregnancy Considerations Explained

Over the years, the ICC has taken several steps across various aspects that will improve the game of cricket. Amid the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, the ICC announced the Return To Play Post Pregnancy Guidelines, which are directly in favour of women's making a comeback to the game of cricket after giving birth.

The ICC post pregnancy guidelines also include the practical supports for consideration, under which childcare support for women cricketers is mentioned, with the main focus on the childcare facilities. This raises a question of whether ICC should mandate the childcare facilities in cricket stadiums or not.

Should ICC Make Childcare Facilities Compulsory at Stadiums?

According to the ICC post pregnancy guidelines, it is practical support consideration that there should be childcare facilities at the cricket stadiums for players. There are some of the best cricket stadiums in the world, like Melbourne Cricket Ground and Kardinia Park, Australia, Edgbaston and The Oval in England, where childcare facilities are available, but only for the public coming to watch the match.

This facility available for the spectators has raised questions about the need for childcare facilities for the players who are coming after giving birth. While there is a majority of cricket stadiums across the world that lack childcare facilities for players as well as spectators. There is a high need for childcare facilities at stadiums for the players, which should include a Dedicated Childcare Room, Breastfeeding & Lactation Rooms, Baby Changing Stations, Rest & Play Area for Infants, as well as storage facilities.

Other Practical Supports For Consideration

As per the ICC post pregnancy guidelines, the other practical supports for considerations for the well-being of women cricketers coming after pregnancy include, most importantly, a flexible sports environment, where players should be given flexible training conditions, as well as understanding of childhood illness and childcare hours.

There should be access to services like high-performance staff and a medical team during pregnancy and during return to play. This is followed by alternate employment for the player if she is not able to compete during pregnancy or during the postpartum period. There should also be consideration during travel, where designated caregivers should travel along with the players, and all processes of travel should be taken care of along with travel equipment and excess luggage requirements.