Aussie umpire to make history in India

Australian Claire Polosak will make history in India next month as one of two female umpires named to officiate at the ICC World T20.

In a world first for cricket, Polosak and New Zealand's Kathy Cross will stand in matches during the women's part of the tournament, which run concurrently with the men's competition in March and April.

It is the first time that female officials have been appointed to an ICC World T20 event.

Polosak, 27, made history last October when she was named third umpire for a Matador BBQs One-Day Cup match in Sydney, becoming the first female to officiate in an Australian senior men's competition.

A high school teacher by trade, Polosak has worked her way through the ranks of Sydney grade cricket, the WNCL and the Rebel Women's Big Bash League.

"Claire’s dedication and love of the game shines through as her officiating continues to go from strength to strength," Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said in congratulating Polosak on her appointment.

"Her historic debut in the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup as third umpire late last year and now featuring in such a prestigious ICC tournament is an inspiration to other aspiring female cricket umpires."

Polosak will be one of five Australian officials in India, with Simon Fry, Bruce Oxenford, Paul Reiffel and Rod Tucker also appointed to World T20 matches.

Growing up his Goulburn, about two hours south-west of Sydney, Polosak started umpiring when she was 15 and says like players of both genders, officiating in a Test match is her ultimate goal.

"It's ultimately about working your way through the pathway but at the moment I'm just concentrating on being the best I am for the game that's in front of me," she told Fairfax.

"If I continue to work hard the opportunities will come.

"There is a really good statistic that there has been more astronauts than there has been Test umpires.

"So it's a very tight tunnel to get through. But like the players you always want to go to the next level if possible."