ICC announced an all-female group of umpires and match referees for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, marking a significant shift towards inclusivity. Ten umpires and three match referees will officiate the ninth edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 hosted by Bangladesh in the United Arab Emirates from 3 to 20 October.
The Elite Panel of Umpires
The panel of umpires selected for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup includes seasoned professionals who have broken barriers in their careers:
- Claire Polosak: Umpiring her fifth ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Polosak has consistently been a trailblazer, becoming the first woman to officiate in a men’s ODI match.
- Kim Cotton: A veteran in her own right, Cotton returns for her fourth Women’s T20 World Cup after officiating the final between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town.
- Jacqueline Williams: Another experienced official, Williams is no stranger to high-pressure games, having umpired numerous international matches.
- Sarah Dambanevana: Sarah Dambanevana of Zimbabwe will be making her debut appearance in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Other ICC Elite Panel of Umpires: Lauren Agenbag, Sarah Dambanevana, Anna Harris, Nimali Perera, Vrinda Rathi, Sue Redfern, Eloise Sheridan.
Elite Panel of Match Referees
Match referees play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth conduct of international cricket events. This year’s panel includes:
- GS Lakshmi: Lakshmi’s name is synonymous with female officiating. She refereed her first T20I match in 2012 and has since been a consistent figure in international women’s cricket, including overseeing the final in 2023.
- Shandre Fritz: Fritz returns for her second Women’s T20 World Cup, bringing years of experience as a former South African cricketer.
- Michell Pereira: Pereira has also been a significant part of ICC’s officiating team and will continue to uphold the standards of the tournament.
Sue Redfern, another seasoned official, is returning for her fourth appearance in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Redfern is known for her expertise in the TV umpire role, where technology like Decision Review System (DRS) plays a pivotal part in match officiating.
ICC Senior Manager, Umpires and Referees, Sean Easey said: “The ICC is proud to be contributing to the advancement of women in our sport. To be announcing this all-female lineup of match officials for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is wonderful.
“This group, selected as the most deserving umpires for this event following their recent form in bilateral and other cricket, are some of the very best from around the world.
“We are confident that they will do a great job at this event. I wish them the best of luck as they oversee the world’s top women’s cricketers in what will be an exciting tournament for all involved.”
To ensure the highest standards in officiating, the ICC has developed a high-performance program for umpires and referees. This includes appointing Umpire Coaches, working with officiating managers, and utilizing two full-time data specialists for performance reviews.
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