New Delhi, September 10, 2025 –
In a historic move for women’s cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that the upcoming Women’s Cricket World Cup will feature an all-female Emirates ICC Panel of Match Officials for the very first time.
This milestone continues the ICC’s commitment to advancing women in cricket, providing visibility and opportunities while setting new benchmarks for gender equality in the sport.
A Landmark in Women’s Cricket
Although recent tournaments like the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the last two ICC Women’s T20 World Cups showcased all-women officiating panels, this is the first time the feat will be achieved in the Women’s World Cup, the pinnacle of the women’s game.
The 13th edition of the tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from September 30, and will bring together 14 female umpires and four women match referees.
Experienced and Emerging Officials on Board
The umpiring panel features several seasoned names, including *Claire Polosak, Jacquline Williams, and Sue Redfern, all making their **third Women’s World Cup appearance. Meanwhile, *Lauren Agenbag and Kim Cotton return for their second World Cup, having officiated during Australia’s record-breaking seventh title win in 2022.
The match referee panel includes Trudy Anderson, Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, and Michelle Pereira, each bringing unique experience and expertise to the tournament.
ICC Chairman’s Statement
Commenting on the announcement, ICC Chairman Jay Shah hailed the decision as a defining moment:
“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. 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.”
He added that the development is about more than symbolism—it is about creating role models, providing opportunities, and ensuring that cricket leadership has no gender boundaries.
Full List of Officials
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
Why This Matters
The decision reinforces ICC’s push to empower women in sports, inspire future generations, and build stronger visibility for women officials on the global stage. Beyond just officiating, it sends a strong signal about equality, leadership, and representation in world cricket.
Key Highlights
- First-ever all-female match officials panel for ICC Women’s World Cup
- Tournament to be hosted in India and Sri Lanka from September 30
- 14 umpires and 4 referees, including veterans like Claire Polosak and Sue Redfern
- ICC says move reflects its long-term vision for gender equity in cricket