A national call-up’
That jauntiness, lightness of touch and optimism in his [Joe Root’s] play are missing.
an incredibly important matter that deserves to be treated with care and consideration, I want to make clear that due to the condition I was born with, this specific debate does not apply to me. The natural levels of testosterone within my body mean that I am fully eligible to play women’s cricket at all levels, regardless of any medical intervention. This has always been the case.’’
ICC regulations say international players must demonstrate to an expert panel that they have a testosterone concentration below 5 nmol/l (nanomoles per litre of blood) for 12 months. Blythin says that her testosterone concentration is in the region of 1 nmol/l . The general range for a woman is 0.5 to 2.5 nmol/l and for a man it is 10 to 35 nmol/l.
Much of the commentary around Blythin’s participation in women’s cricket has centred on whether she has a physical advantage because of her height – she is over 1.85 metres tall – and whether she is stronger than the other players. ‘‘I’ve got a tall dad and a tall mum,’’ she said. ‘‘I’m quite normal-sized for my family. My sister is pretty tall as well. Likewise, there are intersex conditions that can cause you to be a little taller.’’
Blythin has had limited medical information about the condition that she was born with and it has not been medically diagnosed in full.
THE TIMES