Australian first as two female umpires set to officiate professional cricket match

Press Release

New South Wales umpire Claire Polosak and South Australia umpire Eloise Sheridan will make history this weekend when for the first time ever, two female on-field umpires will officiate a professional cricket match in Australia.

In a significant milestone for Australian cricket, the pair will officiate Sunday afternoon’s Rebel Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) match between the Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars at Adelaide Oval

Polosak, a member of the CA Supplementary Umpire Panel, is no stranger to significant milestones, having been the first female umpire to officiate in an on-field role in an Australian men’s domestic match in 2017.

The 30-year-old has also recently returned home from the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies, where she also became the first female on-field umpire to officiate a final in the history of the tournament.

Polosak’s counterpart Eloise Sheridan became the first female umpire to be appointed to the South Australian State Umpire Panel.

Sheridan joined the Panel following a busy 2017-18 season which included appointment to both the CA Under 18 and CA Under 15 Female National Championships.

Last season, Sheridan made history by becoming the first woman to umpire a SACA first-grade Premier men’s match. Her strong performances across the season led to her appointment to the SACA Premier men’s T20 Final at Adelaide Oval.

Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts acknowledged Polosak and Sheridan’s joint appointment as a significant milestone for Australian cricket.

“Claire and Eloise have established themselves as two of Australia’s leading female umpires and it’s fantastic to see all their hard work continue to pay off,” Mr Roberts said.

“This is another great step forward for cricket, where we’re continuing to strive towards our aspiration of being Australia’s leading sport for women and girls.

“On behalf of everyone in Australian Cricket, we wish them the very best for this match and look forward to seeing them on the field.”