Kiwi Kathy Cross is first woman in ICC Umpire's Panel

Kathy Cross of New Zealand on 30 January 2014 became the first woman to be appointed in an International Cricket Council (ICC) umpires panel. Cross of 56 years in age was named as an Associate and Affiliate panel of International umpires for 2014 following the annual review and selection process.

The panel comprises 11 umpires that sits below the elite and international panels-officiates in ICC World Cricket League matches for teams ranked in divisions three to six and other associate and affiliate tournaments.

The panel of 11 umpires’ panel for 2014 has been joined by Kathy Cross and Nigel Morrison. The other members of the panel are Sameer Bandekar, Mark Hawthorne, Wynand Louw, David Odhiambo, Buddhi Pradhan, Sarika Siva Prasad, Richard Smith, Ian Ramage and Courtney Young. Associate and Affiliate Selection Committee has named the panel.

About Kathy Cross
• She was born on Taumarunui has umpired for 16 years, having stood at three women's World Cups
• She is now eligible for appointments to ICC World Cricket League Divisions 3 to 6.
• Previously Cross has officiated in the Women's World Cup in Australia in 2009 and in India in 2013
• She has also umpired in the Women's World Cup Qualifier in 2011 as well as in the Women's World T20 Qualifier in 2013.
• She became the first woman to be selected in the men’s Test umpiring team in 2002, when she was named as the fourth umpire for a match between England and New Zealand played in Wellington