GUWAHATI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced an all-female panel of match officials for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, thereby continuing this initiative for the third successive edition of the tournament.
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A total of 14 umpires and four match referees have been appointed to oversee the 33-match competition, which will be co-hosted by England and Wales from June 12.
Among the notable selections are Candace La Borde, Gayathri Venugopalan, Kerrin Klaaste and Shathira Jakir Jesy, all of whom have earned their first-ever appointments for a Women’s T20 World Cup.
The ICC has also retained nine officials from the 2024 edition, underlining the governing body’s focus on consistency and experience within the officiating group.
Australia’s Claire Polosak remains the most experienced umpire in the panel and is set to feature in her sixth Women’s T20 World Cup. Polosak has officiated in 22 matches across previous editions of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Jacquline Williams and Kim Cotton will make their fifth appearances at the global event, with both officials having stood in 19 matches so far.
The match referee panel features returning officials Shandre Fritz, GS Lakshmi and Michell Pereira, while New Zealand’s Trudy Anderson has also been included.
ICC Chief Executive Officer Sanjog Gupta said the appointments reflected the organisation’s continued commitment to enhancing representation and opportunities for women across the game.
He added that the officials were selected following a “comprehensive, holistic and evidence-based” assessment process, while also commending the high standards displayed during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.
Calling the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 “the biggest women’s sporting event in the world”, Gupta expressed confidence that the appointed officials would play a key role in maintaining the quality and integrity of the tournament.
The umpiring panel for the tournament includes 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 and Gayathri Venugopalan.
The appointed match referees are Trudy Anderson, Shandre Fritz, GS Lakshmi and Michell Pereira.