Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo, [email protected]
AS women’s cricket around the globe enjoys substantial growth, the rise has also become a memorable one for former Zimbabwe women’s cricket fast bowler, Sarah Dambanevana, who continues to write her own piece of history.
Last year, Dambanevana etched her name in the annals of women’s cricket when she officiated in the final of the first-ever ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in South Africa, becoming the first Zimbabwean to stand in a World Cup final match.
A year later, Dambanevana has once again risen through the ranks and will be flying Zimbabwe’s flag high at the forthcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, hosted by Bangladesh in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting on October 3.
Dambanevana was announced by the ICC as part of an all-female panel of match officials for the forthcoming global showpiece in the Middle East.
She will be making her debut appearance at the Women’s T20 World Cup as part of 10 umpires and three match referees appointed by the ICC.
Dambanevana is now regarded as one of the best female umpires in the world. ICC senior manager — umpires and referees, Sean Easey, said the selected officials are deserving and they are confident that they will do a wonderful job.
“The ICC is proud to be contributing to the advancement of women in our sport. To be announcing this all-female line-up of match officials for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is wonderful. This group, selected as the most deserving umpires for this event following their recent form in bilateral and other cricket, are some of the very best from around the world. We are confident that they will do a great job at this event. I wish them the best of luck as they oversee the world’s top women’s cricketers in what will be an exciting tournament for all involved,” said Easey.
At the World Cup, 10 teams will play 23 matches over 18 days in Dubai and Sharjah for the coveted title. The opening match will see the hosts, Bangladesh, battle it out against Scotland in Sharjah. Prior to the main event, each team will participate in two warm-up matches, starting today, to fine-tune their preparations for the competition. Teams that will be battling it out for the prestigious title are Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the West Indies.
Dambanevana stepped into the umpiring limelight in 2022 after becoming the first female to officiate in a domestic cricket final during the season’s Fifty50 Challenge.
Seven months after her achievement, she again made history as the first female to stand in a men’s List A match when Rhinos and Eagles played at Kwekwe Sports Club.
Dambanevana started playing cricket in high school in 2007 for the Midlands women’s team, now Rhinos Women. She was selected for the national team for the first time in 2009 in preparation for the regional ICC Women’s World Cup qualifiers held in Kenya the following year.
As she steps onto the biggest stage, she is no stranger to high-pressure matches. During the 2023 ICC Women’s Under-19, prior to the final between India and England at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom, she had also officiated in the semi-finals when she stood with Candace la Borde in the game between England and Australia.
Her rise to the top at the global showpiece remains an inspirational story to other aspiring female umpires in Zimbabwe.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Match Officials
Umpires: Lauren Agenbag, Kim Cotton, Sarah Dambanevana, Anna Harris, Nimali Perera, Claire Polosak, Vrinda Rathi, Sue Redfern, Eloise Sheridan, Jacquiline Williams.
Match Referees: Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, Michell Pereira. —@brandon_malvin
Online Reporter