Two Women Are Breaking New Ground as International Cricket Umpires

For Vrinda Rathi of India and Anna Harris of England, cricket is no longer simply a game they watch or play. They are helping shape the sport from the middle of the action as international umpires.

From Player to Umpire

Vrinda Rathi began her cricket journey as a medium-pace bowler and played for the Mumbai University women’s team. After finding it difficult to progress into senior-level cricket, she became a scorer before eventually moving into umpiring.

Her career has since taken her onto the international stage. Rathi was one of the first women to stand as an on-field umpire in a men’s domestic fixture in India. In 2026, she also became the first Indian woman to officiate in a Women’s World Cup final.

A Family Connection to Umpiring

Anna Harris discovered umpiring at a young age. She began officiating as a teenager after her mother, Yolanda, who is also an umpire, suggested it as a way to earn extra money.

Harris quickly progressed through the sport. At just 22, she became the youngest umpire to officiate in an international women’s one-day match, when England played New Zealand.

Her career has developed alongside another profession. Harris also works as a doctor for the UK’s National Health Service in Hampshire.

Sharing the Field at the World Cup

Rathi and Harris were both selected for the International Cricket Council’s panel of umpires for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales.

The tournament featured 14 umpires and four match referees overseeing 33 matches. Rathi and Harris were also appointed together for the opening match between West Indies and New Zealand in Southampton.

A Changing Path in Cricket

The journeys of Rathi and Harris show how there are many ways to build a career in cricket beyond playing professionally. One moved from playing and scoring into officiating, while the other began umpiring as a teenager and continued alongside a career in medicine.

Both are now part of an international group of women helping officiate matches at the highest levels of the sport.

Sources

• BBC World Service — “Cricket’s top women umpires,” September 21, 2026.
• International Cricket Council — “Match officials revealed for Women’s T20 World Cup 2026,” May 28, 2026.
• The Conversation — “Cricket’s top women umpires,” September 21, 2026.