Women having to choose between motherhood and representing their country should become entirely a thing of the past after the ICC introduced guidelines for players returning to elite-level cricket post-pregnancy.

During a rest day in the T20 Women’s World Cup being played in England, the ICC launched its ‘Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines’ on Monday, aimed at providing female players, national boards, medical staff, and coaches with a practical reference to support mothers returning to cricket after pregnancy and childbirth.

They are designed to help Member nations develop their own pregnancy and return-to-play policies, in line with local legislation, while supporting player welfare in practical, physical and psychological terms.

Dr Philippa Inge, the Australia team doctor and ICC medical advisory committee member who led the drafting of the guidelines, said the initiative was “designed to show players that having a baby doesn’t need to be the end of their career”.

(Cricinfo)

Chamari Athapaththu has said she feels like “a failure as a captain” after Sri Lanka’s defeat to West Indies in Bristol,  which has left them fifth out of six teams in Group 2 and poorly placed to push for a spot in the semi-finals of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup.

Athapaththu made just 2 as Sri Lanka collapsed for 98, a total that West Indies overhauled with five wickets and 23 balls to spare. Sri Lanka have two losses in three games, but with England and West Indies having won all three of their matches so far, and New Zealand and Scotland ahead on net run rate, Athapaththu’s side need a dramatic upswing in fortunes to make it out of their group.

“Actually, it’s a sadness beyond words,” Athapaththu, who is playing her tenth T20 World Cup, said after the defeat. “I think I played around 18 years for the national team and I could never get a chance to take my team into a semi-final of a World Cup.

“Even though I have achieved many things personally, I think I’m a failure as a captain, because I think that’s big pain for a player. Actually, now I have to be with that pain.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah scored his first goal of the tournament as part of a second-half flurry to deliver Egypt their first-ever World Cup victory, 3-1, over New Zealand in Vancouver.

Both Salah and Mostafa Zico bagged a goal and an assist apiece as Egypt rallied from a 1-0 half-time deficit and took over first place in Group G on Sunday. Trezeguet scored Egypt’s third goal for late insurance.

Salah celebrated his 68th international goal by pumping his fist before he was mobbed by his teammates in the 67th minute to the delight of the red-clad Pharaohs fans in the sellout crowd at BC Place, Vancouver.

When Salah was substituted in the 85th minute, he was treated to a standing ovation.

The first three matches of Group G ended in draws, including Belgium and Iran posting a scoreless tie earlier on Sunday, leaving the group open for the taking. New Zealand (0-1-1, 1 point) thought they were on that path after Finn Surman’s headed goal off a 15th-minute set piece gave them a lead they held for nearly half the match.

Egypt will finish the group stage against Iran on Friday, all but assured of advancing to the knockouts no matter the result. New Zealand, still seeking their own first World Cup win, will take aim at Belgium on the same day in their hopes of advancing.

Mostafa Shoubir made four saves for Egypt, while Max Crocombe recorded four for New Zealand.

New Zealand earned their go-ahead corner kick when Elijah Just had a strong effort on target, and Shoubir sent it out of bounds.

Tim Payne’s ensuing corner found Surman in space. Surman’s jumping header went past a helpless Shoubir to give the All Whites the lead.

Egypt had a promising look in the 35th minute on a free kick from the edge of the box after Callum McCowatt picked up a yellow card for a poor tackle. A teammate laid the ball off for Salah, whose attempt on goal missed to the left.

Egypt had more control and more of the chances in the second half, starting immediately when Salah pressured Crocombe into a save less than 40 seconds in.

But the Pharaohs finally broke through in the 58th minute. Mohamed Hany landed a perfect cross for Zico, whose header near the 6-yard line struck Crocombe’s glove on its way in.

Salah’s turn came nine minutes later. Zico connected with Salah up the right side on a transition play. He dribbled around his man into the box and tapped a pass ahead to Zico, who back-heeled it into a pocket of space for Salah to finish with a left-footed shot to the bottom-left corner.

Trezeguet wrapped up the match in the 82nd minute on another header from a corner kick. Salah sent in a low offering, and Trezeguet was unmarked as his diving header bounded in. It was Trezeguet’s 24th career goal in an international competition and his first at a World Cup.

“In years to come, we will remember that this was one of the achievements in history,” Salah said.

He praised the large Egyptian contingent in the crowd, saying: “It feels like we are playing in Egypt. It’s a great win and great vibe.”

[Aljazeera]