(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
ICC Announces Historic All-Female Umpiring and Refereeing Panel for Women’s World Cup 2025
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the upcoming Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will, for the first time in the tournament’s history, feature an all-female panel of umpires and match referees.
This landmark step highlights the ICC’s commitment to advancing gender equality in cricket and comes as the sport continues to grow in popularity worldwide.
A First in Women’s World Cup History
According to the ICC, while recent events such as the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the last two ICC Women’s T20 World Cups featured all-female match official panels, this is the first time the 50-over Women’s World Cup will achieve this milestone.
The 13th edition of the Women’s World Cup is scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from September 30, 2025.
The Umpiring and Refereeing Team
A total of 14 umpires will officiate the matches, including well-known names such as:
-
Claire Polosak
-
Jacqueline Williams
-
Sue Redfern
-
Lauren Agenbag
-
Kim Cotton
Polosak, Williams, and Redfern will be appearing in their third Women’s World Cup, while Agenbag and Cotton will officiate in their second edition.
The all-female referee panel will consist of:
-
Trudy Anderson
-
Shandré Fritz
-
GS Lakshmi
-
Michell Pereira
Each referee brings valuable experience to ensure fair play and high standards throughout the tournament.
A Defining Moment for Women’s Cricket
ICC Chairperson Jay Shah described the move as a “defining moment in the journey of women’s cricket.”
In his statement, Shah said:
“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 inspiring role models for future generations.”
He further noted that this initiative will encourage more women worldwide to consider careers in cricket officiating, adding that it has the potential to “redefine what’s possible within the game.”
Record Prize Money for Women’s World Cup 2025
Earlier this month, the ICC also announced a major increase in prize money for the tournament. The total prize pool will be $13.88 million, which represents a 297% rise compared to the $3.5 million offered during the last Women’s World Cup in New Zealand in 2022.
Conclusion
The ICC’s decision to introduce an all-female panel of umpires and referees at the Women’s World Cup 2025 is more than a historic milestone — it is a bold step toward ensuring greater visibility, inclusivity, and opportunity in cricket.
With record prize money and a stronger global spotlight on women’s cricket, this year’s World Cup promises to be one of the most impactful editions in history.
