In a landmark moment for cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will be officiated entirely by women – a first in the history of the tournament. The 13th edition of the marquee event, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, begins on September 30, 2025, with India facing Sri Lanka in Guwahati.
This move is seen as a major stride towards gender equality in cricket and reflects ICC ongoing efforts to create opportunities and visibility for women across all aspects of the game.
The Panel: 18 Trailblazing Officials
The panel consists of 14 umpires and 4 match referees, all of whom are among the most respected officials in the women’s game.
Match Referees:
- Trudy Anderson
- Shandre Fritz
- GS Lakshmi
- Michell Pereira
Women’s World Cup 2025 Female Umpires List:
Lauren Agenbag, Candace la Borde, Kim Cotton, Sarah Dambanevana, Shathira Jakir Jesy, Kerrin Klaste, Janani N, Nimali Perera, Claire Polosak, Vrinda Rathi, Sue Redfern, Eloise Sheridan, Gayathri Venugopalan, and Jacqueline Williams.
Notably, Claire Polosak, Jacqueline Williams, and Sue Redfern will be making their third Women’s World Cup appearance, bringing immense experience to the tournament.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah called this decision a “defining moment” for women’s cricket.
“This marks a defining moment in the journey of women’s cricket, one that we hope will pave the way for many more trailblazing stories across all facets of the sport. This development is about visibility, opportunity, and creating role models who can inspire future generations,” Shah said.
He emphasized that the move goes beyond being symbolic — it’s about providing meaningful opportunities and highlighting excellence on a global stage.
The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 will feature 31 matches across seven venues in India and Sri Lanka. The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash will be held on October 5, 2025, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, under a special hybrid hosting agreement.
Australia will enter the tournament as defending champions, while teams like England, New Zealand, and South Africa will be eager to challenge them for the crown.
