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NZ name all-female umpire panel

Australian and PNG umpires head to Lincoln

New Zealand Cricket has announced a solely female umpiring panel for the upcoming New Zealand Cricket Women’s Under-21 National tournament set to get underway in Lincoln on December 16.  

With umpiring long considered the domain of the middle-aged man, the junior tournament will be officiated by three local female umpires, two Australians and one Papua New Guinean.

“We’re delighted to be able to have a completely female umpiring panel,” said NZC Match Officials Manager Rodger McHarg.

“It really shows the great strides that women’s umpiring has made in recent years.

“The quality of umpires named is exceptional.

“Alongside Kathy Cross, who has umpired at three women’s world cups, we have three very well qualified and aspiring umpires from overseas.

“It’s incredibly exciting for us and shows a great pathway for women umpires going forward.”

The two Australian officials were nominated by Cricket Australia, with an eye to New Zealand umpires officiating across the Tasman in future seasons.

All six umpires will be under the tutelage of NZC Umpire Coach, and former ICC Panel of Elite Umpires member, Tony Hill during the tournament.

Earlier this year Cross became the first woman nominated to an ICC umpires panel, joining the Associates and Affiliates panel for 2014 – making her eligible to officiate World Cricket League Division three to six matches.

"I am absolutely delighted to have been selected to the ICC Associate and Affiliate panel of international umpires," Cross said upon the appointment.

"Being the first woman on the panel is a great honour and I look forward to the opportunities this selection will afford me, and to working with the Associate and Affiliate panel."

New Zealand Cricket Women’s Under-21 National Tournament umpiring panel: Kathy Cross (New Zealand), Dianna Venter (New Zealand), Kim Cotton (New Zealand), Claire Polosak (Australia), Deanne Young (Australia), Helen Atai (Papua New Guinea).