ICC Appoints India’s GS Lakshmi As First Female Match Referee

GS Lakshmi on Tuesday  became the first ever woman to be appointed to the ICC International Panel of Match Referees

The 51-year-old earlier officiated domestic women’s cricket 2008-2009 and also has overseen women’s ODI and T20 matches

“To be selected in the international panel by the ICC is a huge honour for me as it opens up new avenues. I have had a long career as a cricketer in India and also as a Match Referee. I hope to put my experience both as a player and as a match official to good use on the international circuit,” Lakshmi said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the ICC, officials at the BCCI, my seniors in the cricketing circuit, my family and colleagues who have supported me over the years. I hope to live up to their expectations by doing my job to the best of my ability,” she added

Hyderabad based Lakshmi has played for Bihar  East Zone, Andhra and South Zone, from 1986 to 2004.

Earlier this month Claire Polask from Australia became the first ever woman umpire to stand in men’s ODI

Social media hailed the ICC’s decision and congratulated the 51-year-old