The ICC to have all females
Time to get ready for the Women’s ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka! This is a very surprising year because all match officials will be women. The ICC said there is a group of four referees and 14 umpires belonging to nine countries. The tournament runs from September 30 to November 2.
Referees are Trudy Anderson (New Zealand), Shandre Fritz (South Africa), GS Lakshmi (India), and Michell Pereira (Sri Lanka).
On the field and TV umpiring headsets are Sue Redfern (England), Claire Polosak and Eloise Sheridan (Australia), Candace la Borde and Jacqueline Williams (West Indies), Kim Cotton (New Zealand), Sarah Dambanevana (Zimbabwe), Shathira Jakir Jesy (Bangladesh), Kerrin Klaaste and Lauren Agenbag (South Africa), N Janani, Vrinda Rathi, and Gayathri Venugopalan (India), and Nimali Perera (Sri Lanka).
While Polosak, Williams, and Redfern got to umpire three Women’s ODI World Cups, Agenbag and Cotton are doing their second.
It’s happened before, with all-women panels officiating at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the last two Women’s T20 World Cups.
Here’s the list of match officials:
Match referees: Trudy Anderson, Shandre Fritz, GS Lakshmi, Michelle Pereira
Umpires: Lauren Agenbag, Candace la Borde, Kim Cotton, Sarah Dambanevana, Shathira Jakir Jesy, Kerrin Klaaste, Janani N, Nimali Perera, Claire Polosak, Vrinda Rathi, Sue Redfern, Eloise Sheridan, Gayathri Venugopalan, Jacquline Williams
According to ICC President Jay Shah, this is a big step for women’s cricket, and hopefully, it will attract even more women in all aspects of the game. He said to show an all-women group of match officials is a statement from the ICC that the game is to be made fair for all, irrespective of gender.
It is more than just appearances; it is about providing role models and opportunities to women. By showcasing the competence of these women in the performing of their duties, the ICC hopes to inspire women to pursue officiating and to show that leadership in cricket is open to everyone. Shah said that the ICC is pleased with the best time for women’s cricket and is hopeful some officials will come forth from each corner of the world.
The 13th edition of the Women’s Cricket World Cup starts on September 30. India plays Sri Lanka on day one. Then, on October 1st, the last tournament winner, Australia, plays against arch rivals , New Zealand. Each team will play against another seven teams once, with TOP FOUR going to the semi-finals. Matches shall take place at Guwahati, Indore, Visakhapatnam, Navi Mumbai, and Colombo. The Final shall be held on November 2.
