Sue Redfern Breaks Ground as First Female Neutral Umpire for ICC Women’s Championship

In a groundbreaking move, Sue Redfern from England has been appointed as the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) first female neutral umpire for the upcoming ICC Women’s Championship and T20I fixtures between Australia and South Africa. This historic decision aligns with the ICC’s strategy to enhance the involvement and visibility of women both on and off the field within the game.

Sue Redfern, who played six Tests and 15 ODIs for England between 1995 and 1999, expressed her excitement about this defining moment for women’s cricket and female cricket officials. The ICC’s decision to appoint a neutral umpire for all ICC Women’s Championship series and T20I matches between the same opponents aims to ensure match neutrality while fostering the long-term development of female umpires.

“It’s an honor to be named by the ICC as its first official female-neutral umpire, and I’m very excited about the upcoming series between Australia and South Africa. This is a defining moment for both women’s cricket and female cricket officials, who have worked hard and been given development opportunities in recent years,” said Sue Redfern in the ICC statement.

Sue, who has been on the ICC Development Panel of Umpires since 2016, has officiated in multiple ICC Women’s ODI Cricket World Cups and T20 World Cups. The ICC’s commitment to prioritizing female officials for neutral umpire roles in the Women’s Championship series includes providing them with match-day pay parity with their male counterparts on the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and comparable perks.

ICC’s General Manager of Cricket, Wasim Khan, emphasized the significance of this development, stating, “This is a watershed moment for women’s cricket as we look to both implement a female match officials’ pathway program and accelerate officiating opportunities for our very best performers.”

The Australia vs. South Africa series, where Sue Redfern will officiate, includes T20I matches on January 27, 28, and 30, and ODIs on February 3, 7, and 10.

-IANS