Sue Redfern Pioneers as First Female Neutral Umpire in Cricket World
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has broken barriers by appointing Sue Redfern, a former England cricketer turned umpire, as the first woman neutral umpire for a bilateral series. This appointment will be for the upcoming ICC Women’s Championship and T20I matches between Australia and South Africa. This step is a considerable advancement in the field of women’s cricket, affirming the progression of women officials in the game. Reader Wall brings to you this news from our trusted sources.
ICC’s Commitment to Neutrality and Growth
In a move to ensure neutrality and unbiased rulings in cricket matches, ICC has decided to employ one neutral umpire for every ICC Women’s Championship series and T20I matches. This plan also caters to the long-term improvement and growth of female umpires. This initiative meshes seamlessly with the ICC’s overall strategy to boost the participation and visibility of women in cricket.
The Journey of Sue Redfern: Cricketer to Umpire
Sue Redfern, an English cricketer from 1995 to 1999, ventured into umpiring following her cricket career. Redfern has been on the ICC Development Panel of Umpires since 2016 and has officiated in various ICC Women’s Cricket World Cups and T20 World Cups. An ecstatic Redfern cherishes this opportunity, acknowledging it as a pivotal moment for women’s cricket and women officials in the sport.
Equal Pay and Perks for Female Umpires
In a heartening move, the ICC aims at bridging the gender pay gap by granting equal remuneration and perks to female umpires matching their male colleagues. This initiative primarily targets female officials for umpiring roles in women’s cricket series. The ICC’s ultimate vision with this effort is to elevate the number of women umpires in its International Panel of Umpires. Wasim Khan, the ICC’s General Manager of Cricket, highlights the relevance of these appointments, emphasising the equilibrium between growth and high-standard opportunities for female match officials.
