ICC Reveals All-Female Officials for 2026 Women's T20 World Cup

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-05-30

The ICC has officially announced that the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales will be officiated by an all-female match official team. This tournament runs from June 12 and features 14 umpires and four match referees covering 33 fixtures. It marks the third straight Women's T20 World Cup with a completely female umpiring panel, following the 2022 edition. The action kicks off at Edgbaston in Birmingham, and organizers are billing this as the biggest women's sporting event in the world. With an expanded format that now includes 33 matches, the demand for experienced officials is higher than ever. The ICC has responded with a panel that blends proven veterans with exciting new faces. ### Four Umpires Making Their Debut Four officials have been promoted to make their first appearance at the Women's T20 World Cup. Candace La Borde, Gayathri Venugopalan, Kerrin Klaaste, and Shathira Jakir Jesy will all step onto the international stage at this level for the first time. All four were part of the officiating setup at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025. That event gave them the exposure and assessment they needed to earn these spots. Their inclusion reflects the growing depth of qualified female officials across world cricket. The ICC has consistently stated that selections are based on performance data, decision-making records, and overall conduct during bilateral series and ICC events. These four officials met those high standards.  ### Claire Polosak Leads an Experienced Returning Group Australian umpire Claire Polosak stands out as the most experienced official on the panel. This will be her sixth Women's T20 World Cup, and she has already officiated in 22 matches at the tournament. No other umpire comes close to that record on this stage. Jacquline Williams and Kim Cotton are also set to reach a notable milestone. Both have stood in 19 matches at the Women's T20 World Cup and will make their fifth tournament appearance in England and Wales. Nine officials from the 2024 edition have returned for this year's event, providing continuity in officiating standards. On the match referee side, Shandre Fritz, GS Lakshmi, and Michell Pereira return from the 2024 panel. New Zealand's Trudy Anderson completes the group of four referees.  ### ICC Reaffirms Commitment to Women's Cricket Representation ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta spoke about the selection, saying the panel reflects the governing body's commitment to expanding representation across all areas of the sport. He pointed to the high standards shown during the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 as a key factor in these appointments. He described the upcoming tournament as the biggest women's sporting event in the world. Here's the full list of officials you'll see this June: - Umpires: Lauren Agenbag, Kim Cotton, Anna Harris, Shathira Jakir Jesy, Kerrin Klaaste, Candace La Borde, Janani N, Nimali Perera, Claire Polosak, Vrinda Rathi, Suzanne Redfern, Eloise Sheridan, Jacquline Williams, Gayathri Venugopalan. - Match Referees: Trudy Anderson, Shandre Fritz, GS Lakshmi, Michell Pereira. The Women's T20 World Cup 2026 begins on June 12 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. It's going to be a showcase of talent both on the field and behind the scenes.