ICC global tournament will be judged by all-female panel for first time

• ICC announce an all-female team of match officials for the 2017.
• Three match referees and ten umpires will officiate flagship women’s tournament.
• The first game will be played in Cape Town’s Newlands against South Africa.

The International Council Council (ICC) has announced an all-female team of match officials for the 2017 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa in a historic development.

At an ICC global competition, a panel made up only of female match officials will officiate for the first time ever in the history of the sport.

“Three match referees and ten umpires will officiate the flagship women’s tournament in South Africa next month as part of the ICC’s strategic aim of expanding the involvement and visibility of women in cricket,” the International Cricket Council said in a statement on Friday.

GS Lakshmi (India), Shandre Fritz (South Africa), and Michell Pereira are the match officials (Sri Lanka). Sue Redfern (England), Eloise Sheridan (Australia), Claire Polosak (Australia), Jacqueline Williams (West Indies), Kim Cotton (New Zealand), Lauren Agenbag (South Africa), Anna Harris (England), Vrinda Rathi (India), N Janani (India), and Nimali Perera will be the on-field and TV umpires (Sri Lanka).

“Women’s cricket has grown fast in recent years, and as part of that, we have been laying the groundwork to guarantee that more women have the opportunity to officiate at the top level,” said Wasim Khan, the ICC’s general manager of cricket.

“This statement reflects our intent in this space and is only the beginning of our journey to ensure that men and women have equal opportunity across our sport.”

The eighth Women’s T20 World Cup will be held from February 10 to 26. This needs to be underlined. The first game will be played in Cape Town’s Newlands against host South Africa and Sri Lanka.

On February 12, Pakistan will face their bitter foe India in their opening game of Group B.

Also Read

Esha Oza listed for ICC Women’s Associate Cricketer of Year

Esha Oza  named the ICC Women's Associate Cricketer of the Year for...