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DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the upcoming Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will, for the first time in history, feature an all-female panel of match officials.
While the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the last two ICC Women’s T20 World Cups had all-women officiating teams, this is the first time the milestone has been achieved at a Women’s World Cup.
The panel will include 14 umpires and four match referees for the tournament, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2.
Among the umpires are Claire Polosak, Jacqueline Williams, and Sue Redfern, each making their third Women’s World Cup appearance.
Lauren Agenbag and Kim Cotton, who were part of the 2022 edition in New Zealand, will feature in their second World Cup.
The referee panel, Trudy Anderson, Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, and Michelle Pereira, brings a wealth of experience to the event, which marks the 13th edition of the tournament.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah hailed the development as a “defining moment” for women’s cricket.
“This is a landmark in the journey of women’s cricket, one that we hope will pave the way for many more trailblazing stories. The inclusion of an all-women panel is not only a milestone but also a reflection of the ICC’s commitment to advancing gender equity,” Shah said.
He stressed that the initiative carries significance beyond symbolism.
“It is about visibility, opportunity, and role models who can inspire future generations. By showcasing excellence in officiating at the global stage, we want to motivate more women to take up officiating and help redefine what’s possible in cricket,” he added.
The Women’s World Cup will begin with hosts India facing Sri Lanka in Guwahati on September 30.
Match Referees: Trudy Anderson, Shandré 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
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