ICC names all-female officiating panel for the Women's ODI World Cup

The upcoming ICC Women's ODI World Cup in India will be overseen and officiated by an all-female panel of umpires and referees.

A total of 18 officials, 14 umpires and four referees, have been appointed for the 31-match tournament, which begins on September 30. It is the first time the Women's ODI World Cup will be entirely officiated by women, extending a trend seen at the last two Women's T20 World Cups and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Among the officials, Claire Polosak, Jacqueline Williams, and Sue Redfern are set for their third World Cup, while Lauren Agenbag and Kim Cotton, who stood in the 2022 final, also return. Eloise Sheridan, another official from that tournament, is part of the line-up as well. The referees' panel features India's GS Lakshmi alongside Trudy Anderson, Shandre Fritz and Michell Pereira.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah described the move 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. 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.

"This development goes beyond 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."