Caribbean Officials Lead All-Female Officiating Panel for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup BIRMINGHAM, England — The Caribbean will have a strong presence among the officials when the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup gets underway at Edgbaston on June 12, with veteran Jamaican umpire Jacqueline Williams and Trinidad and Tobago’s Candace La Borde earning places on the tournament’s distinguished all-female panel of match officials. For Williams, the appointment represents another milestone in an already accomplished international career. For La Borde, it marks a breakthrough moment as she prepares to officiate at a Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time. Veteran Williams continues remarkable World Cup journey Few officials in women’s cricket possess a résumé as extensive as Williams’. The highly respected Jamaican will make her fifth appearance at the tournament, placing her alongside experienced New Zealander Kim Cotton as the only officials set to reach that landmark this year. Between them, Williams and Cotton have overseen 19 matches across previous editions of the competition, highlighting the trust placed in their judgment and consistency on the sport’s biggest stages. Their continued involvement underscores the value of experience as the ICC prepares for another showcase event. La Borde earns reward for steady rise While Williams adds another chapter to an illustrious career, La Borde’s selection signals the emergence of a new generation of elite officials. The Trinidadian is among four umpires making their Women’s T20 World Cup debuts. She is joined by Gayathri Venugopalan, Kerrin Klaaste, and Shathira Jakir Jesy, all of whom strengthened their credentials during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2025.#icc #jamaica #sanjog_gupta #trinidad_and_tobago #claire_polosak
ICC Announces All-Female Match Officials Panel for Women's T20 World Cup 2026 The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Officials for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, marking the third consecutive edition of the tournament to feature an all-female officiating panel. The selection includes 14 umpires and four match referees, with four officials set to make their tournament debut. The panel will oversee matches in England and Wales from June 12, continuing the ICC’s commitment to gender diversity in cricket administration. Among the debutantes are Candace La Borde, Gayathri Venugopalan, Kerrin Klaaste, and Shathira Jakir Jesy, who will join the panel for the first time. The ICC CEO, Sanjog Gupta, highlighted the significance of the panel, stating, “This selection reflects the ICC’s commitment to expanding representation across all facets of the sport.” He also praised the elevated standards of officiating demonstrated by the officials during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 (CWC25), emphasizing the organization’s focus on evidence-based assessments of officials’ performance. The panel includes several returning officials from the 2024 edition, with nine members of the match officials’ team set to return for the 2026 tournament. Australian umpire Claire Polosak, the most experienced official, will make her sixth appearance at the event, having previously umpired 22 matches. Jacquline Williams and Kim Cotton, who have each overseen 19 matches at the tournament, will reach the milestone of officiating their fifth Women’s T20 World Cup. The Smart Replay System, an advanced technology introduced to aid TV umpires in making quicker and more accurate decisions, will also be utilized during the tournament.#icc #sanjog_gupta #claire_polosak #lauren_agenbag #smart_replay_system
ICC Announces All-Female Match Officials Panel for Women's T20 World Cup 2026 The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the list of match officials for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, marking the third consecutive edition of the tournament to feature exclusively female umpires and referees. The event, set to take place in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5, 2026, will see 14 umpires and four match referees overseeing 33 matches. This decision underscores the ICC’s commitment to advancing women’s roles in cricket, emphasizing their growing presence in the sport. The panel includes a mix of experienced and emerging officials, with several returning from previous editions. Notably, GS Lakshmi, the first woman to be appointed as an ICC match referee in 2019, will serve as a match referee for the tournament. She will be making her sixth appearance in an ICC women’s tournament. Other returning officials include Shandri Friz, Michelle Perera, and Trudi Anderson, who will make her debut as a match referee. The panel also features Janani N, Vrinda Rathore, and Gayathri Venugopal from India, with Gayathri set to make her debut in the World Cup. The ICC’s CEO, Sanjay Gupta, highlighted the panel’s selection, stating that it reflects the organization’s dedication to empowering women in cricket. The officials were chosen based on their performance, decision-making abilities, and consistent high standards. The tournament is expected to be a landmark event for women’s cricket, showcasing the sport’s global growth and the increasing recognition of female athletes and officials. Among the umpires, Claire Polosak from Australia will serve as the most experienced, marking her sixth appearance in a Women’s T20 World Cup. She will be joined by seasoned officials like Jackie Williams and Kim Cotton.#icc #sanjay_gupta #women_s_t20_world_cup_2026 #gs_lakshmi #claire_polosak
