Following lengthy and detailed discussions within the ECB, and taking account of feedback received, the structure of the Toyota Disability Premier League has been reviewed and there will be changes to the player eligibility rules ahead of the 2027 edition of the tournament.
The central purpose of these changes is to ensure that the Toyota DPL continues to meet the needs and requirements of England teams going forward, while supporting the ECB’s ambition to remain the world’s leading disability cricket playing nation.
The ECB can only achieve this if the Toyota DPL – as the premier domestic disability cricket competition in England and Wales - reflects the demands, standards and eligibility requirements of the international game.
ECB Head of Disability Cricket Ian Martin said: “As the competition continues to grow, we now need to take stock of what has worked well, what needs to change and how the tournament can remain fit for purpose in the years ahead. That review is not a reflection of mistakes or failure; it is a necessary part of protecting the quality, credibility and long-term impact of the Toyota Disability Premier League.
“When the Toyota DPL was launched in 2022 we said that provision would be made to include some players who were not eligible to go on and represent England. The understanding was that these players had to be able to improve the standard of cricket being played through the tournament.
“As participation in disability cricket has increased year on year since COVID, so has the number of players involved in the Toyota DPL draft each year. A consequence of this growth has been that in the draft for the 2026 tournament, some England-qualified players did not make the cut. Naturally this caused some upset and disappointment amongst the disability cricket community and this was one of the matters that we needed to review.
“Further to that, the introduction of Mixed Disability cricket at the international level has changed the landscape considerably and this has also needed to be factored in to how we see the Toyota DPL moving forward.”
Revised Eligibility Criteria
From the 2027 edition of the Toyota Disability Premier League, all players selected to take part will need to meet the eligibility criteria required for international cricket in their respective impairment group.
This approach provides clarity and consistency across the competition, removing ambiguity regarding which players can and cannot be involved, and ensuring that the domestic pathway is aligned with the international environment.
Eligibility Criteria by Impairment Group
The following criteria sets out the proposed basis for player eligibility by impairment group.
These criteria are intended to align the Toyota Disability Premier League with the requirements of international disability cricket and should be read alongside the final classification and eligibility guidance issued by the ECB and relevant international bodies.
Physical Disability
Players in the physical disability impairment group must have an eligible physical impairment that has a demonstrable and permanent impact on their cricket-specific function. Eligibility should be evidenced through the recognised ECB profiling or classification process.
Intellectual Disability
Players in the Intellectual Disability impairment group must have a recognised intellectual disability involving significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour, with the disability originating during the developmental period. Eligibility must be supported by appropriate documentary evidence and meet the criteria required for international Intellectual Disability Sport.
Hearing Impairment / Deaf Cricket
Players in the hearing impairment or deaf cricket impairment group must meet the agreed audiology threshold required for international deaf cricket. Eligibility should be confirmed through an appropriate audiogram or recognised audiology process, with evidence submitted and verified in line with ECB requirements.
General Requirements Across All Impairment Groups
Players must meet the eligibility criteria for international cricket in their respective impairment group.
Eligibility must be confirmed before a player can be included in a Toyota Disability Premier League squad.
Players may be required to provide medical, educational, audiology or other relevant evidence depending on their impairment group.
The ECB will retain the right to review eligibility where evidence is incomplete, unclear or no longer current.
Where a player does not meet the criteria, the ECB and relevant County Cricket Board will seek to provide appropriate support and guidance.
Impact on Players
We recognise that some players currently involved in the Toyota Disability Premier League may not be eligible to participate under the revised criteria from 2027 onwards. We understand that this may be disappointing for those affected, and we will provide support to those players should they need it.
These decisions have not been taken lightly. They are intended to set the tournament up for the next five to ten years, strengthen the domestic pathway, and ensure the Toyota Disability Premier League continues to play a central role in developing players capable of succeeding at international level.