ICC World T20: Six Indians to be a part of the match officials list

The International Cricket Council (ICC) have released the match officials list for the ICC World T20 to be held in March. Hindustan Times reported that as many as six Indians found themselves in the 31-member Playing Control Team which was revealed by cricket’s governing body.

In a media statement, ICC confirmed, “The strong Playing Control Team includes all the seven and 12 members of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, respectively, as well as 10 members of the Emirates International Panel of ICC Umpires and two members of the ICC Associate and Affiliate Panel of International Umpires.”

Karnataka’s Javagal Srinath will kick start the T20 event in India as the match referee during the opening match between Zimbabwe and Hong Kong in Nagpur. Srinath was also tasked with leading the Playing Control Team which also comprises of Aleem Dar, Ian Gould, Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth in the umpiring panel.

However, the major talking point in the list was the presence of 2 female umpires for the 20-overs tournament. New Zealand’s Kathleen Cross and Claire Polosak of Australia, who also officiated in the ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier, will also be a part of the main event.

The ICC stated, “Their appointments in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 comes as the game’s governing body continues to place an important emphasis in recognizing that cricket is a game for all, and hopes that this will inspire more women across the globe to become involved in officiating and participating in cricket.”

Cross will become the first women umpire to stand in the World T20 when she steps out on to the field at Chennai on March 16 during the women’s contest between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Aussie umpire Polosak will begin her tournament in the fixture between New Zealand Women and Ireland Women at Mohali alongside Vineet Kulkarni on March 18.