In a groundbreaking move, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will, for the first time in history, feature an all-female panel of match officials.

The landmark decision is being hailed as a major step forward in promoting gender equality in the sport.

While all-women officiating teams have previously been part of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the last two ICC Women’s T20 World Cups, this is the first time such a panel will take charge at the Women’s World Cup stage. The tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is set to begin on September 30, 2025.

The Emirates ICC Panel of Match Officials for the tournament includes 14 umpires and four match referees. Among the umpires are experienced names such as Claire Polosak, Jacquline Williams, and Sue Redfern, who will be officiating at their third Women’s World Cup. Lauren Agenbag and Kim Cotton also return after making their mark in the 2022 final, where Australia clinched their seventh title.

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The match referee panel brings together Trudy Anderson, Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, and Michelle Pereira, each adding depth and experience to this historic lineup.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah called the announcement a “defining moment in the journey of women’s cricket.” He emphasized that this move is not just symbolic but also about creating meaningful opportunities for women in officiating.

“This marks a defining moment in the journey of women’s cricket, one that we hope will pave the way for many more trailblazing stories across all facets of the sport,” Shah said in the ICC statement.

He added, “The inclusion of an all-women panel of match officials is not only a major milestone but also a powerful reflection of the ICC’s unwavering commitment to advancing gender equity across cricket. This development goes beyond symbolic value—it is about visibility, opportunity, and the creation of meaningful role models who can inspire future generations.”