Former England player Sue Redfern is all set to become the first woman to umpire in first-class cricket in England. The 44-year-old, who is currently umpiring in the 2022 Women’s World Cup also became the first woman to umpire in England men’s international when she stood in the 4th T20I against Sri Lanka.
Sue is included in the Professional Umpires Team and is going to replace the first-class panel of umpires that the England and Wales cricket board has appointed after reviewing all backgrounds.
Sue Redfern will be joined by Jack Shantry and ex-Pakistan international Naeem Ashraf, who is an official in Lancashire. Surendiran Shanmugam of Northamptonshire and Anthony Harris from Shropshire are also included. The professional umpires team will be standing for both men’s and women’s first-class games and can focus on their full-time careers as umpires.
Sue Redfern is all set to become the first woman umpire to oversee first-class matches in England.
Many Congratulations Sue 🙌😍 pic.twitter.com/B0J8ZrLdks
— Female Cricket #CWC22 (@imfemalecricket) March 16, 2022
Speaking about her inclusion in the panel, Sue Redfern who represented England in 6 tests and 15 ODIs said, “The most significant aspect of this opportunity for me is that, for the first time, I can focus all my energy on umpiring as a career. This is my first full-time contract as an umpire.”
Sue also added that she’s excited about the new challenges and is hoping to become a better individual and a better umpire.
Sue in her 5-year career for England between 1995 to 1999 scored 146 runs and picked 6 wickets in 6 test matches. In ODIs, she has picked 16 wickets. She is looking all excited to start this new journey as she continues to pave way for women in umpiring.
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