WINDHOEK, April 29, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Australia’s Claire Polosak said it was
a “special day” as she made history in becoming the first female umpire to
stand in a men’s one-day international.
The 31-year-old officiated in the final of the World Cricket League
Division 2 between hosts Namibia and Oman at the weekend and admitted she
would “sleep well” after her performance.
“It was a special day for everyone and I wanted to do the best I can,” said
Polosak.
“There was a little bit of intensity out there, some argy-bargy between the
teams but I nipped it in the bud with a quiet word.
“Everyone responded well, there were no issues with player behaviour.”
Polosak has already stood in 15 women’s ODIs, the first one in November
2016 between Australia and South Africa.
She has also umpired the semi-final of the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2018
between England and India and four matches at the 2017 Women’s World Cup.
“I had a couple of big calls,” she added of Saturday’s game which was won
by Namibia by 145 runs.
“Big caught behinds, lbws which I was pleased with. You never walk off
completely happy but I will sleep well tonight.”
Polosak has already blazed a trail — she was the first woman to stand in a
men’s domestic fixture in Australia in her first List A match in Australia in
2017.
In December last year, she and her South Australian counterpart Eloise
Sheridan became the first female umpires to officiate on-field together
during a professional match in Australia when the Adelaide Strikers hosted
the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0914 hrs