NEW DELHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday, January 5, announced that 9 out of 15 match officials will be present for the warm-up matches and group stage of the inaugural Under 19 Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa.

It makes the tournament, beginning from January 14, have the highest number of female match officials to be appointed for an ICC event. In all, 12 umpires and 3 match referees will officiate in the tournament, which will be played across 4 venues in the two host cities: Benoni and Potchefstroom.

The ICC International Panel of Match Referees, which also includes former Bangladesh international cricketer Neeyamur Rashid and Zimbabwean Owen Chirombe, is headed by former Sri Lanka women's team captain Vanessa de Silva.
Four members of the ICC International Panel of Umpires, including Wayne Knights, Ahmad Pakteen, Virender Sharma, and Shahid Saikat, will officiate various matches throughout the tournament.

Former Sri Lankan women hitter Dedunu de Silva, Kerrin Klaaste, Maria Abbott, Sarah Bartlett, Jasmine Naeem, Lisa McCabe, Sarah Dembanevana, and Candace la Borde are among the members of the International Panel of ICC Development Umpires who will officiate.

"The historic ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup match officials have been announced, and we are happy to do so. We are happy that, as part of the ICC's global development strategy, this group of officials reflects the effort we have been doing to advance women in our sport." "We are excited to witness each of the new officials as they contribute to the history that will be made in South Africa. Each has slowly built a solid reputation in the cricket community. We wish them well and are confident that they will do a fantastic job "Adrian Griffith, Senior Manager - Umpires and Referees at the ICC, said in an official release.

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