ICC appoints female match officials For Women’s T20 World Cup

The 2024 women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa will feature an all-female match officials lineup, a game-changing first. The ICC unveiled the panel of three match referees and 10 umpires on Friday, which included officials from seven countries. 

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup

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). The group was chosen as part of the governing body’s “strategic aim of expanding the engagement and visibility of women in cricket,” according to an ICC statement.

In addition, the panel will include four more female match referees and umpires than the nine officials at the current women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup, making it a record-breaking ICC event.

 “As a result of the rapid growth of women’s cricket in recent years, we have been building the framework to guarantee that more women have the opportunity to officiate at the games at the top level, this news is a reflection of our aim in this sector and only the start of our journey where men and women have the same possibilities across our sport. We are dedicated to continuing to assist our female match officials and give them opportunities to display their abilities on the world stage. They’re competing, so I wish them luck,” said Wasim Khan, the ICC’s general manager of cricket. 

On February 10, the opening match of the eighth Women’s T20 World Cup saw hosts South Africa taking on Sri Lanka. The reigning champs in Australia are in Group A with South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. Ireland, Pakistan, West Indies, England, and India make up Group B. 

The semi-finals will advance the top two teams from each group. The games will take place in Paarl, Gqebera, and Cape Town, with the championship game taking place on February 26 at Newlands.