The first ever woman on the ICC panel Kathy Cross says she's absolutely delighted

Kathy Cross

Kathy Cross broke new ground in the world of cricket when she became the first woman ever to be named on the ICC panel. The umpire from New Zealand was inducted into the ICC Associate and Affiliate panel of umpires for 2014.

“I am absolutely delighted to have been selected to the ICC Associate and Affiliate panel of international umpires,” , said Cross, who happens to be a member of the New Zealand reserve cricket panel for 2013-2014.

“Being the first woman on the panel is a great honour and I look forward to the opportunities this selection will afford me, and to working with the Associate and Affiliate panel.” Cross said.

Vince Van Der Bijl, the ICC referees and umpires manager had this to say about the appointment of Cross, “She is an excellent role model for aspiring umpires and she has shown her umpiring prowess at the Women’s World Cup in Australia in 2009 and in India in 2013.”

“Her appointment is another significant milestone in the ICC’s Females in World Cricket Strategy and will hopefully lead to more high level female officials coming through the ranks.”

The panel for 2014 which consists of Sameer Bandekar, Mark Hawthorne, Wynand Louw, David Odhiambo, Buddhi Pradhan, Sarika Siva Prasad, Richard Smith, Ian Ramage and Courtney Young is now joined by Cross and Nigel Morrison from Vanuatu.