Kathy Cross, the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) first woman umpire believes that officiating in the men’s match is not difficult.
writes by BIPIN DANI
Cross, who has just stood in the one-day Club match between the men’s teams of Eastern Suburbs and Karori Cricket Club in Wellington, said, “It is an honour to be selected to the ICC Associate and Affiliates Panel of international umpires. The selection will provide great opportunities and broaden experiences.
“I am already experienced in umpiring Women’s cricket and am now eligible for appointments to ICC Cricket League Divisions 3-6, in addition to womens’ cricket.
“The first opportunities for selection will be in the WCL Divisions 5 & 4, which will take place in the next few months.” she added. “My appointment will hopefully lead to more female officials coming through the ranks.
“I don’t get disturbed or embarrassed when the male players use the tactics of sledging the opponents.
“My job is to ensure that the match is played in true sportsman spirit.”
Cross’s first appointment in a men’s Test match was in 2002 when she discharged the duty of a fourth umpire when New Zealand played England at Wellington.
“I kept myself very busy then”, she recalled.
According to Rodger McHarg, the Umpiring Manager at New Zealand Cricket (NZC), she finds no issues while performing duty in men’s match.
“Kathy Cross umpires in Wellington – and umpires senior men’s club cricket very frequently- with no issues,” McHarg stated. “Kathy knows how to apply the Laws and Playing Conditions- and that is why she is being promoted to the ICC A & A Panel.
“Kathy will be standing in several ODI women’s matches at the end of February when NZ play West Indies in a series here in NZ, before she goes to Malaysia for a ICC appointment to a Division 5 Tournament in March.
“She has stood in NZ Cricket mens List A matches,” he concluded.
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
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