Cricket Players’ White Uniform Meets Menstrual Anxiety

When it comes to cricket whites, period anxiety can be a real concern for female players. Tammy Beaumont, who represents players in the England and Wales Cricket Board’s women’s health group, was worried when she got her first period, thinking she might have to give up the sport. However, changing the whites to a darker color, as the Lionesses did with their shorts, isn’t necessarily possible as colored clothing is used to make the ball easier to see in limited-overs cricket, whereas Test cricket uses a red ball that stands out against the whites. Nonetheless, Beaumont and her peers are determined to keep wearing whites at international level due to their pride in the tradition that surrounds Test cricket and the fact that opportunities to wear whites don’t arise very often. However, at grassroots level, colored clothing has become more common across age groups. The accessibility of period products remains a concern, with some cricket venues lacking adequate facilities. Kit and clothing also play a role in whether young women choose to play cricket or not, with many opting for colored clothing due to concerns about body image. Lydia Greenway, a former England player who now develops female-specific cricket equipment, thinks that if cricket can remove one barrier in the form of white clothing, it’s one less thing for young women to worry about. They can then focus on playing cricket and feeling confident about their bodies, regardless of body type.