CALCUTTA (India): India’s GS Lakshmi will become the first female match referee in a men’s One-Day International, the ICC said in a statement on Thursday.
Lakshmi will oversee the third series of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 with the opening match on December 8 between UAE and the USA.
“It feels great to see ”first” to your name. It gives me a sense of pride to be officiating at this level,” said Lakshmi.
The competition, which is on the Road to India 2023, looks to provide development opportunities for officials.
This is the second significant achievement for Lakshmi this year following her appointment as the first woman onto the ICC International Panel of Match Referees in May.
“Congratulations to GS Lakshmi on becoming the first women match referee to oversee a Men”s One Day International. It highlights the wonderful opportunities for females in cricket officiating,” said Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager — Umpires and Referees.
The 51-year old, who first officiated as a match referee in domestic women’s cricket in 2008-09, has now overseen three women’s ODI matches, 16 men’s T20 Internationals and seven women’s T20 Internationals.
“I played cricket with my brothers and friends. I had a natural bowling action and my college immediately accepted me. I then played for my state in domestic cricket for 18 years,” she added.
