The policy states that at any time after giving birth, the player can resume playing provided there has been medical clearance. There are also provisions for cricketers – male and female – who become parents and are not the primary carer. They will be entitled to three weeks of paid leave upon the birth or adoption of a child. The policy covers Australian players who have state, national or Big Bash League contracts. Overseas cricketers who have played for an Australian team for at least 12 months can take 12 months of unpaid leave and be sure they will still have a spot on the team list when they return. Healy, the record-breaking opening batter and an ACA director, said the policy – to be funded from the player-payment pool – was a "game-changer". "As a player, I'm proud to be part of a game with such a comprehensive and fit-for-purpose parental leave policy," she said.

Loading "With the playing and travel demands on cricketers, I'm pleased this policy provides support to players, so if they choose to, [they] can both care for their child and participate in the game. "Seeing friends and family raise children, I know the physical and emotional toll parenting can have. The policy is a game changer for players planning for the future while providing job security." No current female Australian or domestic players are parents, but former Australian player Sarah Elliott returned to the top level after having a baby and breastfed her nine-month-old son Sam during breaks in play of an Ashes Test in 2013. New Zealand and Melbourne Renegades all-rounder Amy Satherthwaite recently announced she would miss the WBBL season after becoming pregnant. Cricket believes its policy is superior to several other sports. Where cricket is offering 12 months paid parental leave, AFLW players are paid only until the expiry of their contract and any leave they are owed. Rugby offers 12 weeks parental leave plus one third of a player's annual contract. In the Women's National Basketball League, a player's contract is suspended until she returns or is paid out. Super Netball players are paid until the expiry of their contract, while their leave is unpaid.

In terms of catering for a carer, AFLW and Super Netball offer one year of assistance, rugby two years and the WNBL four years. Cricket is the only sport to offer three weeks of parental leave to a player whose partner is pregnant or if they have adopted a child. Changes will also include having facilities for breastfeeding, expressing milk and for private time with children at all venues. Players will need to notify CA at least 10 weeks before their parental leave commences with their expected birth date, how much leave they plan to take and the anticipated start and finish dates of parental leave. Teams will be able to seek replacement players. Those who do not wish to resume playing will be offered a non-playing role, which includes being a team or cricket ambassador, in administration or even a media role. Drew Ginn, CA's executive general manager of high performance, said change was needed.