Indian women umpires in Janani Narayanan and Vrinda Rathi were named in the International Panel of ICC Development Umpires on Wednesday. The number of female match officials has gone up to 12 across different International Cricket Council panels with additions of these 2 Indians in the team.
NEWS📰: Indian female umpires Janani Narayanan and Vrinda Rathi have been named in the International Panel of ICC Development Umpires.
Details ➡️ https://t.co/ulRiMRRadu pic.twitter.com/lW08HDHECG
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) March 18, 2020
The announcement comes soon after the launch of 100% Cricket. IT is a 12-month campaign commenced by ICC that’s expected to boost the following of women cricket after record-breaking attendances and viewership after the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020.
ICC initiated the campaign just before the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 final which had record-breaking attendance. Approx 86,174 people flocked into the Melbourne Cricket Ground on International Women’s Day to watch the final. The main objective of the campaign is to create more excitement around the women’s cricket before the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 that is scheduled to be hosted by New Zealand.
ICC Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees, Adrian Griffith 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 proactively 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 an assignment, but continue to develop their skillset with our support as they travel along their journey.”
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Janani Narayanan has been umpiring in Indian domestic tournaments since 2018. In an interview, Janani Narayanan has revealed that the 34 years old female the late David Shepherd of England. She also mentions retired India umpire Srinivas Venkatraghavan as one of the inspirations behind her rise.
Janani Narayanan said: “It feels great to know that Vrinda and I have been inducted into the ICC’s development panel. This gives me the chance to learn from seniors on the circuit and improve in the years to come. Cricket has become part of my daily routine since the 90s and I look forward to be associated with the sport at a higher level.
“I take this opportunity to thank the BCCI for the opportunities given and the ICC for giving me this break. I would like to thank Mr Radhakrishnan, who has been my mentor since I first started umpiring. I would also like to thank my parents who never stopped me from watching cricket on TV, my senior umpires Sai Darshan, Ashwin Kumar and all my state panel umpires, national panel umpires and referees who have helped me learn and grow.”
Vrinda Rathi is a female varsity player who used to keep scores in international matches. The 31-year-old began her umpiring career in 2018 by has also been umpiring in Indian domestic cricket. Kathy Cross inspired Rathi to take up umpiring. Rathi watched the New Zealand umpire at the Women’s World Cup 2013 and got drawn towards umpiring which she believes is a natural progression for her.
Vrinda Rathi in an interview said, : “I feel privileged to be named in ICC’s development panel as this opens new avenues for me. I am sure I will get to learn a lot from other members of the panel and look forward to future assignments. Having played cricket and also officiated as a scorer, this was a natural progression for me and I am happy at the way things have unfolded.”
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“I am thankful to the BCCI for backing me over the years and to the ICC for giving me this opportunity. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my family, colleagues, and mentors for all the help and support over the years.”
GS Lakshmi, Shandre Fritz (International Panel Match Referees); Lauren Agenbag, Kim Cotton, Shivani Mishra, Claire Polosak, Sue Redfern, Eloise Sheridan, Mary Waldron, Jacquline Williams (all International Panel of ICC Development Umpires) are the other women match officials involved at the international level with ICC.
