Kathy Cross first woman umpire on ICC panel

New Zealand umpire Kathy Cross has become the first woman to be named in an ICC umpires' panel - she was added to the ICC Associate and Affiliate panel of umpires for 2014

Cross is now eligible to officiate in World Cricket League Divisions 3 to 6. She had umpired in the Women's World Cup in 2009 and 2013, the Women's World Cup Qualifier in 2011 and the Women's World T20 Qualifier in 2013.

"I am absolutely delighted to have been selected to the ICC Associate and Affiliate panel of international umpires," Cross, who is a member of the New Zealand Cricket Reserve Panel 2013-14, said. "Being the first woman on the panel is a great honour and I look forward to the opportunities this selection will afford me, and to working with the Associate and Affiliate panel."

ICC umpire and referees manager Vince Van Der Bijl said: "She is an excellent role model for aspiring umpires and she has shown her umpiring prowess at the Women's World Cup in Australia in 2009 and in India in 2013.

"Her appointment is another significant milestone in the ICC's Females in World Cricket Strategy and will hopefully lead to more high level female officials coming through the ranks."

Cross and Vanuatu's Nigel Morrison have joined Sameer Bandekar, Mark Hawthorne, Wynand Louw, David Odhiambo, Buddhi Pradhan, Sarika Siva Prasad, Richard Smith, Ian Ramage and Courtney Young in the panel for 2014.