Melbourne, Nov 26 (IANS) Cricket Australia (CA) on Thursday congratulated Australian umpire Claire Polosak, who was selected the previous day to officiate in the upcoming Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier, which starts this weekend in Bangkok.
Polosak will join three other female match officials — New Zealands’ Kathleen Cross, England’s Sue Redfern and West Indies’ Jacqueline Williams — marking the first time four female match officials featuring in an International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament.
At 27, Polosak is the youngest official of the tournament and recently made history when she was appointed as third umpire for the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup to become the first female to officiate in a men’s state domestic competition in Australia.
Hailing from Goulburn, the high-school science teacher has since progressed to be involved as third umpire in the Queensland versus Cricket Australia XI match in October and as reserve umpire in several domestic matches.
“We are delighted for Claire upon her appointment to officiate in the Women’s World T20 Qualifier. Claire’s dedication and love of the game shines through as her officiating continues to go from strength to strength,” CA match officials manager Sean Easey said.
“She is an inspiration to other aspiring female cricket umpires. We wish Claire all the best.”
The Women’s World T20 Qualifier will run from November 28 to December 5 and will see eight sides (Bangladesh, China, Ireland, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand and Zimbabwe) fight out for the two available spots in the 2016 World T20 to be held in India alongside the men’s event from March 11 to April 3.
Polosak will also officiate on-field in the inaugural rebel Women’s Big Bash League (BBL), starting December 5 at Junction Oval, Melbourne.