Trailblazing Jamaican umpire joins elite line-up for Women’s World Cup semi-finals
Key Points(5)
- <strong>GUWAHATI, India –</strong> The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the officiating line-up for the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, placing some of the sport’s most respected umpires on center stage for the tournament’s decisive encounters.
- In a proud moment for the Caribbean, Jamaican umpire Jacqueline Williams has been appointed to stand as an on-field umpire for Wednesday’s first semi-final in Guwahati, where England will lock horns with South Africa.
- This marks another milestone in Williams’s distinguished career and underscores her growing influence within the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires.
- Williams will partner with Australia’s Eloise Sheridan, herself one of the game’s rising officiating talents.
- The pairing symbolizes both diversity and excellence within the women’s officiating ranks.
GUWAHATI, India – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the officiating line-up for the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, placing some of the sport’s most respected umpires on center stage for the tournament’s decisive encounters.
In a proud moment for the Caribbean, Jamaican umpire Jacqueline Williams has been appointed to stand as an on-field umpire for Wednesday’s first semi-final in Guwahati, where England will lock horns with South Africa. This marks another milestone in Williams’s distinguished career and underscores her growing influence within the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires.
Williams will partner with Australia’s Eloise Sheridan, herself one of the game’s rising officiating talents. The pairing symbolizes both diversity and excellence within the women’s officiating ranks.
Form and familiarity
Both Williams and Sheridan have been central figures throughout the tournament’s group stage, gaining familiarity with the teams they will now oversee in the knockout phase. Sheridan notably officiated the earlier clash between England and South Africa — a commanding 10-wicket win for the English — as well as South Africa’s victory over Pakistan.
Williams, meanwhile, has already stood in two matches apiece for both semi-finalists. Her assignments included South Africa’s crucial wins over India and Bangladesh, and England’s triumph against India as well as their sole loss to arch-rivals Australia.
Elite support crew
Supporting the officiating duo in Guwahati will be India’s Vrinda Rathi as third umpire, Australia’s Claire Polosak as fourth umpire, and GS Lakshmi serving as match referee — a team reflecting the global reach and professionalism of the women’s game.
The second semi-final, set for Thursday in Navi Mumbai, will see defending champions Australia take on hosts India in a blockbuster contest expected to captivate global audiences.
This encounter will be presided over by South Africa’s Lauren Agenbag and England’s Sue Redfern, two of the most experienced umpires on the circuit. They will be supported by New Zealand’s Kim Cotton as third umpire, Sri Lanka’s Nimali Perera as fourth umpire, and Michell Pereira as match referee.
As the tournament narrows to its final stages, the ICC’s officiating panel reflects both the diversity and depth of talent shaping women’s cricket’s modern era — and for Williams, it represents yet another proud stride forward for Caribbean representation at the sport’s highest level.
