For the first time in the history of the Women’s Cricket World Cup, all match officials will be women, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Thursday.
The 13th edition of the 50-over tournament, scheduled in India and Sri Lanka from September 30, will be officiated by 14 umpires and four referees.
Notable names include Claire Polosak, Jacqueline Williams, Sue Redfern, Lauren Agenbag, and Kim Cotton. Polosak, Williams, and Redfern will appear at their third World Cup, while Agenbag and Cotton will serve at their second.
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The referee panel will feature Trudy Anderson, Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, and Michell Pereira. According to the ICC, they bring “varying levels of experience” to ensure smooth oversight of the event.
ICC Chair Jay Shah called the move a landmark achievement. “This marks a defining moment in the journey of women’s cricket,” he said, adding that the initiative would inspire future generations. “It is about visibility, opportunity, and creating meaningful role models.”
The ICC has also significantly boosted prize money for the tournament. The prize pool now stands at $13.88 million, nearly four times higher than the $3.5m awarded in 2022.
