This article lists ten women cricket umpires and the significance of their achievements – as an editorial assessment, without a specific ranking. The officials come from different backgrounds and have worked across domestic cricket, men’s internationals and major women’s tournaments.
Claire Polosak, Jacqueline Williams and Kim Cotton
Claire Polosak, from Australia, was born in Goulburn, New South Wales. She began umpiring Sydney grade cricket at 15, worked as a high-school science teacher, failed her first umpiring exams and kept trying. In 2019, she became the first woman to stand on-field in a men’s One-Day International, during Namibia’s match against Oman in the ICC World Cricket League. She was also the first female on-field official in an Australian men’s First-Class match, in the Sheffield Shield. By 2026, she had made her sixth Women’s T20 World Cup appearance, including the 2024 tournament.
Jacqueline Williams, from Westmoreland, Jamaica, progressed through the West Indies regional system, including the Regional Super50 and First-Class cricket. In 2020, she became the first female third umpire in men’s international cricket. She also became the first female West Indian official to stand on-field in a men’s T20 International between two Full Member nations, when West Indies played England. Williams later became an on-field umpire for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s. The list notes her milestones in both television and on-field umpiring, and her progress from regional cricket to a major World Cup final.
Kim Cotton, a professional lawyer, developed her umpiring career through domestic cricket. In April 2023, during a men’s T20 International between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, she became the first female on-field umpire in a men’s international between two ICC Full Members. She has officiated multiple finals and was the television umpire for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup final. Her experience includes both on-field and third-umpire responsibilities at major events, with appointments across formats.
Sue Redfern and Lauren Agenbag
Sue Redfern played for England in six Test matches and 15 One-Day Internationals before becoming an umpire. She later became the first person to both play and umpire in ICC World Cups. Redfern became a full-time professional umpire in England and has officiated in men’s county cricket and The Hundred. The list recognises her for bridging the roles of international player and World Cup umpire, bringing together international playing experience and professional officiating.
Lauren Agenbag came through Cricket South Africa’s development pathway and gained experience in domestic matches. She became the first South African woman to umpire a women’s T20 International and the first woman from the country to stand in a men’s First-Class domestic match. Agenbag later joined ICC tournament panels, adding international appointments to her domestic experience. Her milestones cover women’s international cricket, men’s domestic cricket and major tournament assignments.
Vrinda Rathi and Janani Narayanan
Vrinda Rathi, born in Navi Mumbai, played as a medium-pace bowler for Mumbai University. After missing selection for the senior state team, she stayed in cricket as a scorer. Watching women umpires during the 2013 World Cup inspired her to officiate. She cleared the BCCI Level 2 examination in 2018 and gained domestic experience. Rathi became one of the women selected to officiate on-field in the men’s Ranji Trophy, one of India’s leading domestic competitions. In 2026, she was an on-field umpire for the Women’s T20 World Cup final, her first final in that role.
Janani Narayanan left software engineering to pursue cricket umpiring. After clearing the BCCI’s national umpiring examinations, she gained experience through local and state-level matches. She later became one of the women selected for on-field duties in the men’s Ranji Trophy, alongside Vrinda Rathi. The list describes their appointments as an important step for women in Indian domestic cricket. Narayanan was also included in the ICC panel for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, extending her work beyond domestic matches.
Eloise Sheridan and Anna Harris
Eloise Sheridan began in sports administration and entered umpiring through South Australian club cricket. Alongside Claire Polosak, she formed the first all-female on-field umpiring pair in an Australian professional match during the Women’s Big Bash League. Sheridan later officiated in the Women’s Ashes, the Commonwealth Games and World Cup fixtures, building experience across several major events. In 2026, she was an on-field umpire for the Women’s T20 World Cup opening match between England and Sri Lanka.
Anna Harris is a doctor with the National Health Service in Hampshire. Her mother, also a cricket official, inspired her interest in umpiring. As a teenager, Harris officiated local club matches to earn pocket money while playing domestic cricket. At 22, she became the youngest-ever umpire to officiate in a Women’s One-Day International. She has since worked in men’s domestic cricket and joined ICC tournament panels, balancing officiating with her medical career and domestic cricket experience.
Saleema Imtiaz and the wider picture
Saleema Imtiaz gained experience through Pakistan’s domestic and development circuits, where the list says opportunities for women officials have historically been limited. She became the first Pakistani woman nominated to the ICC International Panel of Development Umpires. She has also worked at Asian tournaments and ICC events connected with the global development pathway, continuing through competitions that support emerging officials. Her nomination was an important national milestone for women seeking a route into cricket officiating in Pakistan.
Together, these ten officials show there is no single route into cricket umpiring. Polosak, Williams and Cotton broke barriers in men’s international cricket, while Redfern’s career includes playing and officiating. Agenbag, Rathi and Narayanan widened opportunities through domestic and international appointments. Sheridan and Harris have worked across different competitions, while Imtiaz’s nomination marked progress for Pakistani women. Their careers reflect women’s growing roles in cricket, and their continued contribution matters.
