WBBL umpires to make history

History will be made at Adelaide Oval on Sunday when umpires Claire Polosak and Eloise Sheridan step onto the field for the Rebel WBBL match between the Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars.

It will be the first time two female on-field umpires have officiated a professional cricket match in Australia, making the game a significant milestone for Australian cricket.

Polosak, who is a member of Cricket Australia’s Supplementary Umpire Panel, is no stranger to making history, having been the first female umpire to officiate in an on-field role in an Australian men’s domestic match in 2017.

The 30-year-old recently returned from the 2018 T20 World Cup in the West Indies, where she became the first female on-field umpire to officiate a final in the history of the tournament.

Sheridan was the first female umpire to be appointed to the South Australian State Umpire Panel, having decided to take up officiating to remain involved in the game after her playing career ended.

Last season, she made history when she became the first woman to umpire a SACA first-grade Premier men’s match, while her performances across the season saw her umpire the SACA Premier men’s T20 Final at Adelaide Oval.

“Claire and Eloise have established themselves as two of Australia’s leading female umpires and it’s fantastic to see all their hard work continue to pay off,” Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts said.

“This is another great step forward for cricket, where we’re continuing to strive towards our aspiration of being Australia’s leading sport for women and girls.

“On behalf of everyone in Australian Cricket, we wish them the very best for this match and look forward to seeing them on the field.”

The WBBL match between the Strikers and the Stars will be broadcast from 1:30pm AEDT on FOX Cricket and the Seven Network.