Get ready for a groundbreaking moment in women’s cricket! For the first time ever, the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 will have an all-female panel of match officials. This exciting milestone highlights the ICC’s push for gender equality in cricket, with experienced women taking charge on and off the field.
The tournament kicks off on September 30 in India, the host nation for the 13th edition of the Women’s Cricket World Cup. Eight top teams will battle it out in 31 thrilling matches over 33 days, all vying for that coveted global title. Leading the Indian charge are former cricketer and match referee GS Lakshmi, along with talented umpires Vrinda Rathi and Gayathri Venugopalan. They’re part of a stellar 14 umpires and four match referees from the Emirates ICC Panel, each bringing years of international expertise to the event.
This isn’t just any lineup—it’s historic. The Women’s ODI World Cup joins elite company as the fourth major global event with an all-women officiating team. It follows the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the last two ICC Women’s T20 World Cups. Stars like Claire Polosak, Jacqueline Williams, and Sue Redfern are back for their third Women’s Cricket World Cup, ensuring top-notch calls. You’ll also see Lauren Agenbag and Kim Cotton, who umpired the 2022 final when Australia clinched their seventh title, returning with Eloise Sheridan.
The match referees are equally impressive: Trudy Anderson, Shandre Fritz, GS Lakshmi, and Michell Pereira. These women are trailblazers, opening doors for more females in cricket officiating at the highest level.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah couldn’t be more thrilled about this step forward for women’s cricket. "This is a defining moment that will inspire countless success stories across the sport," he said. He emphasized how the all-women panel goes beyond symbolism—it’s about creating visibility, opportunities, and role models to motivate the next generation. "We’re committed to gender equity in cricket, and this will encourage more women worldwide to step into officiating roles," Shah added.
Here’s the full ICC panel of match officials for the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025:
Match Referees: Trudy Anderson, Shandre Fritz, GS Lakshmi, Michell Pereira.
Umpires: Lauren Agenbag, Candace la Borde, Kim Cotton, Sarah Dambanevana, Shathira Jakir Jesy, Kerrin Klaste, Janani N, Nimali Perera, Claire Polosak, Vrinda Rathi, Sue Redfern, Eloise Sheridan, Gayathri Venugopalan, Jacqueline Williams.
As fans gear up for the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, this all-female officiating team promises fair play and fresh inspiration. Stay tuned for live updates from India!
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