Sue Redfern is the first female neutral umpire designated by the ICC for a bilateral series.

Sue Redfern has been selected for the forthcoming ICC Women’s Championship and Twenty20 International matches between Australia and South Africa. If she is selected, she will become the first female neutral umpire appointed by the International Cricket Council to officiate in a bilateral series. In order to maintain some neutrality in running matches and to take into account the long-term development of female umpires Sue Redfern, the ICC decided to designate one neutral umpire for all ICC Women’s Championship series and any T20I matches scheduled alongside them. This decision resulted to Redfern’s appointment.

As more chances arise for female umpires, Wasim Khan, General Manager of Cricket at the ICC, views this as a significant development.

“We are looking to accelerate officiating opportunities for our top performers and implement a pathway program for female match officials. This is a watershed moment for women’s cricket.” Neutral appointments will help local female umpires who serve alongside male umpires learn and grow while providing female umpires with increased exposure to a variety of settings.

“It is crucial that we build on the momentum created by the first-ever all-female match officials’ panel we had at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa last year by combining development with excellent opportunities.”

When it comes to the neutral umpires in the ICC Women’s Championship series, the ICC will give preference to female officials. The female umpires nominated by the ICC will get similar benefits and salary on match days, on par with their male counterparts on the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.

As part of ICC’s strategic aim to increase the participation and visibility of women in the game both on and off the field, more female neutral umpires will be chosen based solely on merit and added to the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires in the years to come.

Sue Redfern is optimistic that her hiring will accelerate the advancement of female match officials.

Being the first official female neutral umpire appointed by the ICC is an honour, and I’m looking forward to the next series between Australia and South Africa.

For women’s cricket and female cricket authorities, who have put in a lot of effort and been offered growth possibilities recently, this is a pivotal time.

“I’ve watched how the situation for female officials has changed and how many are now receiving support and recognition internationally. I have no doubt that this appointment will contribute to the momentum and increased awareness needed to support the future development of female officials worldwide.

“I personally want to express my gratitude to the ECB and the ICC for their support throughout the years, and I look forward to more appointments of this kind.”

Sue Redfern has been a member of the ICC Development Panel of Umpires since 2016. He represented England in six Test matches and fifteen ODIs between 1995 and 1999, including four during the 1997 World Cup held in India. She has served as an official in three ICC Women’s T20 World Cups (2018, 2022, and 2024) and two ICC Women’s Cricket World Cups (2017 and 2022).

Sue Redfern will serve as the match official for the following Australia vs. South Africa matches:

Bilateral T20I series:

1st T20I, Manuka Oval, Canberra, 27 January
2nd T20I, Manuka Oval, Canberra, 28 January
3rd T20I, Bellerive Oval, Hobart, 30 January

ICC Women’s Championship:

1st ODI, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, 3 February
2nd ODI, North Sydney Oval, Sydney, 7 February
3rd ODI, North Sydney Oval, Sydney, 10 February