Jacqueline Williams broke new ground in cricket by becoming the first female umpire from the West Indies to officiate in a Men’s T20 International involving two full member teams. Williams officiated the second T20I between West Indies and England in Grenada.
| WI vs ENG, 2nd T20I Highlights |
The 47-year-old was partnered by Gregory Brathwaite, television umpire Leslie Reifer Jr, and Patrick Gustard, who was the fourth umpire.
Speaking ahead of the match Williams said it’s like a dream come true for her, adding that she’s honored to get this opportunity.
“It is like a dream come true. It’s a good feeling to be the first, but I hope I won’t be the last. I’m truly honored to be given this amazing opportunity and I want to make sure I give my best when I take the field on Thursday. It is obvious that from what I have done so far in my career this would be a testimony to my work,” said Williams.
In the match, West Indies showcased an exceptional all-round performance, coming out winners by a margin of 10 runs in the second T20I of the five-match series.
After winning the One Day International (ODI) series 2-1, West Indies further impressed by securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the T20I series.
Under the leadership of Rovman Powell, West Indies successfully defended a total of 176 at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada. While West Indies surprisingly failed to qualify for the ODI World Cup earlier this year, Powell and his team are making a strong case for being contenders for the upcoming T20I cricket tournament in June next year.
The West Indies squad, champions of the T20 World Cup twice, are steadily gaining momentum and shaping up to give a tough fight in the major tournament. Their recent victory and unbeatable lead over England in the series established their prowess in the cricketing world, giving a glimpse of what to expect in the upcoming T20I cricket championship.