The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a landmark step for women’s cricket, confirming that the upcoming 13th edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, to be staged in India and Sri Lanka from 30 September to 2 November, will feature an all-female Emirates ICC Panel of Match Officials for the first time in the tournament’s history.
Building on similar milestones at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the last two ICC Women’s T20 World Cups, this is the first instance of the Women’s ODI World Cup being presided over exclusively by female officials, signalling the ICC’s deepening commitment to empower women across all facets of the sport.
A group of 14 umpires has been named for the tournament, including experienced campaigners Claire Polosak, Jacquline Williams and Sue Redfern, who will each be featuring in their third Women’s World Cup.
Lauren Agenbag and Kim Cotton, who officiated during Australia’s historic seventh World Cup title in 2022, will return for their second edition. They will be joined by Candace La Borde, Sarah Dambanevana, Shathira Jakir Jesy, Kerrin Klaaste, Janani N, Nimali Perera, Vrinda Rathi, Eloise Sheridan, and Gayathri Venugopalan, adding rich diversity and representation to the panel.
The match referee team features four leading women administrators: Trudy Anderson, Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, and Michelle Pereira. Their varied experience will ensure a robust blend of governance and expertise at this historic edition of the World Cup.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah hailed the development as a defining moment for the women’s game, emphasising that the move signifies more than just representation.
“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,” Shah declared. “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 further added, “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.”
The appointment of an all-female panel not only underscores progress in equality but also lays the foundation for wider transformation in cricket’s professional pathways. With officiating roles often underrepresented by women, the ICC’s strategic emphasis provides much-needed visibility, inspiration, and opportunities for aspiring officials across the globe.
As Shah concluded, “We are honoured to recognise a new chapter in the growth of the women’s game. We believe the influence of this initiative will resonate far beyond this tournament, motivating more women worldwide to pursue officiating careers and helping redefine what’s possible within the game.”
With the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, this historic officiating panel is expected to lend both prestige and inspiration to a tournament that promises not only riveting cricket but also groundbreaking progress for the sport worldwide.
(Quotes sourced from ICC Press Release)
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