India's GS Lakshmi makes history by becoming first female match referee

She said, “To be selected in the international panel by the ICC is a huge honour for me as it opens up new avenues. I have had a long career as a cricketer in India and also as a Match Referee. I hope to put my experience both as a player and as a match official to good use on the international circuit."

She added, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the ICC, officials at the BCCI, my seniors in the cricketing circuit, my family and colleagues who have supported me over the years. I hope to live up to their expectations by doing my job to the best of my ability."

Lakshmi will be eligible to referee international games with immediate effect.

ICC also included Australia's Eloise Sheridan on the ICC Development Panel of Umpires. Sheridan was the reserve umpire for two matches in the Men’s Big Bash League 2018-19 and umpired four matches in the Women’s Big Bash League the same year. In October 2018, she became the first woman in Australia to umpire a men’s first grade Premier Cricket final.

She said, “As a player, cricket allowed me to travel, meet wonderful people and share a mutual love for the game. It is great now to be able to continue my involvement in cricket in a different role, and give something back to the game that has been such a big part of my life.

“I couldn’t take up opportunities like this without the continued support of the South Australian Cricket Association and Cricket Australia, as well as my very understanding partner.”

Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager - Umpires and Referees commented on the recent additions. He said, “We welcome Lakshmi and Eloise to our panels, which is an important step forward in our commitment to encouraging women officials. It is heartening to see their progress and I am sure many more women will be inspired to follow their example. I wish them all the best for a long and enjoyable career."

He further added, “We are committed to ensuring greater gender parity among our officials, but all appointments are made purely on merit. Elevation is as a result of a thorough evaluation process that identifies the most talented match officials breaking through to an international level.  It is pleasing that through consistent high performance we are able to add more women to our panels."

Recently, Claire Polosak in April became the first ever woman umpire to stand in a men’s ODI, when she officiated the final of the World Cricket League Division 2, between Oman and Namibia. Sheridan and her appointment on the ICC Development Panel of Umpires means the number of women on that panel have increased to eight.

Lauren Agenbag, Kim Cotton, Shivani Mishra, Sue Redfern, Mary Waldron and Jacqueline Williams are the other women officials on that panel.