Pioneer Polosak set to make history

Cricket in Australia has taken another giant leap after Claire Polosak was announced today as the first female to act as an on-field umpire in an Australian men's domestic match.

Polosak will take the field with veteran umpire Paul Wilson on Sunday in the JLT One-Day Cup clash between New South Wales and Cricket Australia XI at Sydney's Hurstville Oval.

The history-making appointment comes on the back of the professionalisation of women's cricket in Australia, domestically with the NSW Lendlease Breakers and the ground-breaking deal for international women in the new Memorandum of Understanding.

Polosak received the good news from five-time ICC umpire of the year Simon Taufel, the umpire she idolised growing up in the NSW country town of Goulburn.

"I never played cricket, which is a little bit interesting for some people," Polosak told reporters in Sydney.

"I always followed cricket, my parents got me into it and Dad would drive me up from Goulburn to do the umpires course here.

"It took a few times to pass but it was something I was determined to do and I kept working through the grades in the Sydney competition."

The 29-year-old has an impressive officiating resume, including umpiring in the ICC Women's World T20 and Women's World Cup, the 2016-17 WNCL final, and an Under-19 Test and one-day international between Australia and Sri Lanka in Hobart.

Polosak's appointment continues the rise of female officials in sport this year.

In May, Eleni Glouftsis became the first female field umpire in AFL history, while Kasey Badger and Belinda Sleeman have run as touch judges in the NRL, as has Amy Perrett in the Super Rugby competition.

As more women officiate men's sport, Polosak says the group of pioneers has established its own network to share their experiences at the highest level.

And that's not to mention the growing pool of female cricket umpires around the world.

"We've got Ashlee Kovralves from WA and Deanne Young from Canberra," Polosak said.

"Internationally there is a handful of us. I've been fortunate enough to work with Kathy Cross from New Zealand, Jacqueline Williams (from) West Indies, Sue Redfern from England.

"We were together at the Women's World Cup in England (this year)."

The landmark appointment of Polosak may surprise some, but she's steadily been climbing the ranks in NSW Premier Cricket competition since joining the New South Wales Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association in 2005.

"To be a good umpire, you first have to be a good person. Claire is an exceptional person and an outstanding umpire," says NSW state umpire manager Darren Goodger.

"She is very composed under pressure, prepares thoroughly, is a strong decision maker, respected by her colleagues and the players in NSW Premier Cricket, committed to excellence and self-improvement.

"She has earned this opportunity on the back of consistently good performances in NSW Premier Cricket, in Cricket Australia and ICC matches."

While Sunday's match will be a step up for Polosak, the change of playing personnel works in her favour.

"I actually find women's cricket harder to umpire," she said.

"The ball for men's is faster so you hear the nicks, they're slightly louder.

"There are certain differences. Both teams are out there to win the game so the intensity is the same."

While Polosak's appointment is a huge personal achievement, she hopes her selection benefits young females wanting to umpire at the elite level. 

"It just shows there's a pathway now, that there are increased opportunities," Polosak said.

"Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW are really increasing the amount of support for female umpires and I think that's showing in other sports as well.

"My role here at CNSW is to do with female engagement and umpire educating.

"We're looking to improve the numbers. There's now an increased awareness in women's sport. On Sunday we're going to have three other females umpiring in the first round of women's cricket."