The ICC has raised the number of women match officials across its different panels to 12 with the appointments of Janani Narayanan and Vrinda Rathi to its international panel of ICC development umpires.

There are currently two women on the international panel of match referees: GS Lakshmi and Shandre Fritz. Narayanan and Rathi will join eight other women – Lauren Agenbag, Kim Cotton, Shivani Mishra, Claire Polosak, Sue Redfern, Eloise Sheridan, Mary Waldron and Jacquline Williams – on the panel of development umpires.

The two new appointees both hail from India and have been umpiring in domestic cricket since 2018.

“These are exciting times for women’s cricket, and it is only appropriate that we have more women officials at the international level,” said Adrian Griffith, the ICC senior manager for umpires and referees. “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 assignment, but continue to develop their skillset with our support as they travel along their journey.”