KEY POINTS
- The ICC has named an all-women panel of 14 umpires and 4 match referees
- The move marks a major step toward gender equity and leadership visibility in international cricket.
ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled an all-female Emirates ICC Panel of Match Officials for the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, the first time in the tournament’s history that every ball, every appeal, and every decision will be presided over entirely by women.
This landmark announcement sets a new precedent in the cricketing world, spotlighting the culmination of years of effort by the ICC to champion gender equity, professionalism, and representation in the sport.
The 13th edition of the Women’s Cricket World Cup, to be hosted across India and Sri Lanka, will see 18 trailblazing women take the field in an officiating capacity — 14 umpires and four match referees — all part of the prestigious Emirates ICC Panel.
“This marks a defining moment in the journey of women’s cricket,” said ICC Chairman Jay Shah. “It’s not just a milestone, it’s a mirror of our commitment to progress. This panel represents excellence, aspiration, and a new era where leadership and impact in cricket are no longer bound by gender.”
Panel of Pioneers
From the seasoned to the rising stars, the panel boasts names that have long stood at the forefront of officiating in women’s cricket.
Claire Polosak, Jacqueline Williams, and Sue Redfern, each set to make their third World Cup appearance, headline the list.
Joining them are Lauren Agenbag and Kim Cotton, who famously officiated the 2022 Women’s T20 World Cup final, alongside Eloise Sheridan, who returns after a successful stint in the same tournament.
In the match referee ranks, Trudy Anderson, Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, and Michell Pereira bring a wealth of experience and gravitas, having each paved pathways for women in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Tournament of Firsts
Scheduled across 33 days with 31 matches, the 2025 Women’s World Cup promises not only high-stakes cricket but also a showcase of professionalism on and off the field.
With eight teams vying for the title, the eyes of the sporting world will also be fixed on those enforcing the rules — and this time, they’re all women.
The ICC’s High Performance Officiating Programme has been instrumental in preparing the panel, offering access to top-tier coaching, performance analytics, and regular assessments, underscoring the governing body’s commitment to elite officiating standards.
Beyond the Boundary
But this move goes deeper than the pitch. It signals a cultural shift, planting the seeds of ambition in future generations of female cricket fans, players, and professionals.
“This isn’t just visibility, it’s viability,” Shah noted. “When young girls see women making the calls at the highest levels of the game, they begin to believe there’s a place for them here too, not just as players, but as decision-makers.”
The announcement has been met with wide applause across the cricketing fraternity, hailed as a milestone not just for women’s sport, but for cricket as a whole.
Full Panel of Match Officials
Match Referees: Trudy Anderson, Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, Michell Pereira
Umpires: Lauren Agenbag, Candace la Borde, Kim Cotton, Sarah Dambanevana, Shathira Jakir Jesy, Kerrin Klaste, Janani N, Nimali Perera, Claire Polosak, Vrinda Rathi, Sue Redfern, Eloise Sheridan,
Gayathri Venugopalan, Jacqueline Williams
