The WNBA operates under a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), a deal negotiated between the league and its players association (WNBPA), setting rules on matters including player salary caps, revenue sharing, benefits and overall league operations.

On player eligibility, the CBA states: “Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.”

The WNBA has yet to comment publicly on the row since Cunningham’s comments but league commissioner Cathy Engelbert reportedly sent a memo to teams last week in which she said the matter would be discussed at an upcoming pre-arranged meeting with team presidents.

In the memo, seen by the Associated Press, external, Engelbert said the league would “always approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the longstanding values of our league”.

She added: “Our player eligibility rules, unlike the eligibility rules of some other leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained. Preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league’s highest priorities.”

However, the lack of detail in the league’s eligibility criteria has been brought to light by Kanter Freedom, who finished his playing career with the Boston Celtics in 2022.

“If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA,” he wrote on Instagram, external.

Kanter Freedom, who has previously spoken out about human rights violations in China and Turkey, among other issues, added: “I know my presence on the court will stir up strong opinions. I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices.

“I’m simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone – the rules that represent the very values many WNBA players and coaches have publicly advocated for.”

A day after Kanter Freedom’s ‘announcement’, Royce White – who made three appearances in the NBA as a player and is now a Republican Senate candidate – said he would also declare for the Draft, adding: “I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purpose of basketball.”

Whether the vagueness of the rules are by design to leave it open to transgender women or a sign of an oversight that genuinely needs tightening up is not clear.

BBC Sport has contacted Cunningham’s representatives, the WNBA and WNBPA for comment.

Opener Emilio Gay will have further treatment on a shoulder injury this week and England are hopeful he will be fit for the first Test against Pakistan that starts on 19 August.

The 27-year-old retired hurt with a shoulder problem while playing for Durham in their One-Day Cup game against Middlesex on Friday.

The left-hander had a scan on Saturday and will now be assessed at Beckenham, where Pakistan play a warm-up game from Wednesday.

Gay will work with medical staff as a Professional County Club Select XI provide opposition for the tourists in a four-day game. He will not take part in the fixture.

England have already been forced into a reshuffle following the retirement of former captain Ben Stokes and a knee injury to Jacob Bethell that means the batter will miss the three-Test series.

Jordan Cox will take Bethell’s place at number three, while Dan Lawrence will bat at six and bowl off-spin as England make a first attempt to balance their team without Stokes.

England have not called any further batters into their squad as cover for Gay.

Ollie Pope is already in the 16-strong group as a reserve batter and wicketkeeper, although the Surrey man is not a specialist opener.

Pope would be one option to replace Gay from within the squad, while Lawrence had a failed stint as a Test opener and Cox has opened in first-class cricket.

Replacement options from outside the squad could include a recall for Surrey’s Dom Sibley, or uncapped pair Ben McKinney of Durham and Glamorgan’s Asa Tribe.

Joe Root returns as full-time captain on his home ground of Headingley, while Marcus Trescothick will act as interim head coach before Stephen Fleming takes charge for the winter tour of South Africa.

New Zealander Fleming is scheduled to arrive in the UK in September, but there is no clarification on whether he will be in the country before the end of the Pakistan series.