Female umpires make cricket history

DUBAI: Sue Redfern of England and Jacqueline Williams of the West Indies created history on Sunday for their roles in Oman’s 181-run win over Nigeria at ICC WCL Division Five in Jersey.

Redfern was one of the two standing umpires, working with Scotland’s Alex Dowdalls, in the game while Williams served as third umpire. It marked the first time that two female umpires have officiated in a men’s ICC tournament match.

Though multiple female umpires have served in women’s ICC tournament matches — Redfern and Williams were two of four female officials at the Women’s World T20 Qualifier in Thailand last November and filled standing and third umpire roles respectively in a game between Ireland and Netherlands on the opening day of that event — Sunday was the first time it occurred in a men’s ICC fixture. Kathy Cross was the first women’s official to stand in a men’s ICC tournament match, serving at 2014 ICC WCL Division Five and Three, both held in Malaysia that year.

Redfern, 38, is a former England Women’s Test cricketer who also works as the ECB’s inclusion and diversity manager.