The number of women match officials across different International Cricket Council (ICC) panels has gone up to 12 as Janani Narayanan and Vrinda Rathi of India were yesterday named in the International Panel of ICC Development Umpires.

The announcement comes soon after the launch of 100% Cricket, a 12-month campaign anticipated to build on the momentum of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020.

The campaign, launched just before 86,174 people watched the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on International Women’s Day, aims to create more excitement around the women’s game ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 in New Zealand.

Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees, said: “These are exciting times for women’s cricket, and it is only appropriate that we have more women officials at the international level. We will work pro-actively with Member Boards to give female officials the pathway needed for their growth.

“I am sure Janani and Vrinda are looking forward to their time on the Panel. I wish them all the best and hope they not only perform well on assignment, but continue to develop their skill-set with our support as they travel along their journey.”

Janani Narayanan, 34, who idolises the late David Shepherd of England and retired India umpire Srinivas Venkatraghavan, has been umpiring in Indian domestic tournaments since 2018.

Rathi, 31, a former varsity player who has kept scores in international matches, has also been umpiring in Indian domestic cricket since 2018. Rathi was inspired to take up umpiring after watching retired woman umpire Kathy Cross of New Zealand at the Women’s World Cup 2013.

Other ICC women officials are: G.S. Lakshmi, Shandre Fritz (Intl. Panel Match Referees); Lauren Agenbag, Kim Cotton, Shivani Mishra, Claire Polosak, Sue Redfern, Eloise Sheridan, Mary Waldron, Jacquline Williams (all Intl. Panel of ICC Development Umpires).