The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 has experienced blockbuster success, with some fine individual performances and last-over thrillers played out right through the group stage. Australia and England are set to face off in the Final in Christchurch after having outplayed West Indies and South Africa respectively in the semi-finals. 

The title clash will be officiated by four women officials – the first such instance in the global sport. South Africa’s Lauren Agenbag and Kim Cotton of New Zealand have been named the two on-field umpires, while West Indies’ Jacqueline Williams will officiate as the TV umpire.

Cotton was the only match official during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 Final between Australia and India at the MCG, having stood as the on-field umpire alongside Ahsan Raza. Williams, who hails from Jamaica, became the first female to officiate as the Third Umpire in men’s international cricket in 2020, having fulfilled the role during West Indies’ three-match home T20I series against Ireland. Langton Rusere of Zimbabwe has been named the Fourth Umpire.

India’s GS Lakshmi, the first woman ever in the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, will be the Match Referee for the Final. Lakshmi also has the distinction of being the first woman match referee in men’s ODIs, having stood in the role during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 in the UAE in December 2020.

As part of its strategic commitment to a gender-equitable sport, the ICC has focused on increasing the number of international female match officials, with women comprising eight of the 15 match officials at this event.