The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made history by announcing an all-female panel of match officials for the upcoming ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025. This will be the first time in the tournament's history that it will be officiated entirely by women. The World Cup, which begins on September 30 in India and Sri Lanka, marks a significant step forward for women's cricket.
The panel consists of a total of 14 umpires and four match referees, chosen for their experience and expertise. Among them are highly-regarded officials like Claire Polosak, Jacqueline Williams, and Sue Redfern, all of whom are making their third appearance at a Women's Cricket World Cup. The panel also includes Indian officials, with umpires Vrinda Rathi, N Janani, and Gayathri Venugopalan, as well as the first-ever female match referee, GS Lakshmi, a former Indian cricketer.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah stated that this move is more than just a symbolic gesture. He described it as a "powerful reflection of the ICC's unwavering commitment to advancing gender equity across cricket." Shah emphasized that the decision is about "visibility, opportunity, and the creation of meaningful role models who can inspire future generations." The initiative is part of the ICC's broader strategic vision to accelerate the growth of women's cricket globally.
The Women's Cricket World Cup will feature eight teams competing in 28 league matches across five venues. Australia is the defending champion and the most successful team, with seven titles to their name. This event will be the fourth global tournament to be officiated by an all-female panel, following the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the two most recent ICC Women's T20 World Cups.