New Zealand's Kathy Cross is one of four women umpires selected to officiate at the upcoming ICC Women's World Twenty20 qualifying tournament in Bangkok.
New Zealand cricket umpire Kathy Cross Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Cross is joined by Australia's Claire Polosak, England's Sue Redfern and West Indies' Jacqueline Williams for the eight-team qualifier that will find team teams for next year's World tournament in India.
The quartet will be joined by fellow umpires Allan Haggo and Nigel Morrison, while ICC Graeme Labrooy will be the match referee. ICC Umpire Coach Denis Burns will also attend the week-long tournament and provide support and assistance to the match officials.
Taumarunui born Cross became the first woman to be named in an ICC umpires' panel when she was added to the ICC Associate and Affiliate panel of umpires in 2014.
She has previously umpired in the ICC Women's World Cups in 2000, 2009 and 2013, the Women's World Cup Qualifier in 2011 and the Women's World Twenty20 Qualifier in 2013.
In recent years, Kathy has also worked at men's senior events including the ICC World Cricket League Championship Divisions 3 and 5.
She has also stood in the men's domestic T20 competition.
"Each tournament brings something new for women's cricket and this latest development hopefully shows that the quality of umpiring is getting better and better, as the calibre of teams is certainly improving," Cross remarked.
She added: "I have enjoyed the experience of officiating in different parts of the world, but I have been alone, as a woman, in the middle for quite some time. So, it's great for all of us to have this opportunity in Thailand this week at such an important tournament. I think that the selection of four females can set down a pathway for more people to come through the system."
