NEW DELHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a landmark decision ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, unveiling an all-female panel of match officials for the first time in the tournament’s history.While recent global events such as the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the last two ICC Women’s T20 World Cups have already witnessed all-women officiating teams, this will be the first instance at a Women’s World Cup. The 13th edition of the marquee event will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from September 30.The panel will comprise 14 umpires and four match referees. Among the umpires are experienced campaigners Claire Polosak, Jacquline Williams, and Sue Redfern, who will each be officiating in their third Women’s World Cup. South Africa’s Lauren Agenbag and New Zealand’s Kim Cotton, both of whom were on duty in the 2022 final when Australia lifted their seventh title, will feature for a second time.
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The referees’ panel includes Trudy Anderson, Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, and Michelle Pereira — bringing a blend of experience and fresh energy to the tournament.ICC Chairman Jay Shah described the announcement as a defining moment for the women’s game.“This marks a defining moment in the journey of women’s cricket, one that we hope will pave the way for many more trailblazing stories across all facets of the sport,” Shah said.“The inclusion of an all-women panel of match officials is not only a major milestone but also a powerful reflection of the ICC’s unwavering commitment to advancing gender equity across cricket.”Shah stressed that the initiative was about more than symbolic value.“It is about visibility, opportunity, and the creation of meaningful role models who can inspire future generations. By highlighting excellence in officiating on the global stage, we aim to spark aspiration and reinforce that leadership and impact in cricket know no gender,” he added.ICC Panel of Match OfficialsMatch Referees: Trudy Anderson, Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, Michelle PereiraUmpires: 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
