SA's Fritz, Agenbag to officiate at Women's Cricket World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the 15 match officials for the Women's Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.

The global tournament will be played across six venues in New Zealand from 4 March to 3 April.

Eight of the 15 match officials are women, including former Proteas batter Shandré Fritz, who played for South Africa in 2005, 2009 and 2013 World Cups.

Fritz will be the Match Referee in a Women's World Cup match for the first time in the opener between hosts New Zealand and West Indies on Friday, 4 March (03:00 SA time) at the Bay Oval in Tauranga.

She will be joined by compatriot Lauren Agenbag, who will be in the on-field umpire alongside India's Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid.

In 2019, Agenbag made history made history as she became the first woman from South Africa to umpire a T20I International between the Proteas women and Sri Lanka.

Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager - Umpires and Referees, said the appointments were part of ICC's policy of nurturing the best available talent in different countries.

"We are proud to announce eight women Match Officials in our team for the tournament. We had six women Match Officials at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2020 and the steady upward path is as per our plans and keeping with our long-term vision," said Griffith.

"But while we have been continuously increasing the number of women officials, there have been no concessions and all of them deserve to be there. The appointments are based on merit, and they have made it to the top level because of their skill and perseverance.

"It is good to have a good mix of experience and it is heartening to note the number of firsts for women officials in recent years. I wish all the Match Officials the very best and am confident