GS Lakshmi all set to be the first woman match referee in a men’s ODI

GS Lakshmi from India is all set to go down in the history books of cricket as she has been appointed the match referee for the third series of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 which will kick off in UAE this weekend.

Lakshmi is the first woman who will officiate as a match referee in a men’s ODI. The 51-year-old, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, has already overseen quite a few games of women’s cricket and even the men’s T20 internationals, but her appointment as a match referee for a men’s ODI is a significant step by ICC towards indulging the women’s officials in men’s cricket.

Also see – BPL Points Table

Elated by her appointment, Lakshmi said it’s always a proud feeling to do something for the “first” time in history.

“It feels great. Having anything assigned ‘first’ to your name gives me a sense of pride. This being a big ICC event, it feels great to be officiating at this level.” Lakshmi was quoted saying.

There are a total of 7 teams participating in the Cricket World Cup League 2. The teams which finish at the top 3 spots in the standings will directly make it to the 2023 World Cup qualifiers, while the teams finishing at the bottom 4 spots will have to go through the playoffs to give themselves any chance of making it to the 2023 World Cup qualifiers.

After the first two series of the league which took place in August and September respectively, Scotland, Namibia and United States are holding the top 3 spots in the points table. The third series will begin with the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America going head to head at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on 8 December.