Lauren Agenbag made history on Wednesday when Cricket SA (CSA) announced its match officials list for the 2023/2024 season. Lauren Agenbag making history on Wednesday
The 26-year-old became the first woman to be promoted to the Cricket SA elite umpire panel, enhancing a profile that is blossoming locally and globally.
Her achievement resonates with the objectives of the CSA Career Pathways in Cricket Webinar Series, which commemorates youth month and aims to explore and inspire individuals to pursue various on-field career opportunities.
Agenbag joins the country’s most illustrious umpires, including Allahudien Paleker and Bongani Jele, on the panel.
Other notable promotions include a second woman on the list, Kerrin Klaaste, who is promoted to the CSA reserve umpires panel, and former Proteas seamer Mthokozisi Shezi.
After the retirement of Shaun George and Adrian Holdstock’s promotion to the ICC elite panel, two umpires have been promoted to the ICC international panel: Lubabalo Gcuma and Gqeberha-born and former Westering High sports head Stephen Harris.
Senior umpire Marais Erasmus remains on the ICC Elite Panel, with Gerrie Pienaar, Shaid Wadvalla and Shandre Fritz serving on the ICC panel of match referees, and Agenbag remaining on the ICC development panel.
“We would like to congratulate all our umpires on their deserved appointments for the forthcoming season,” said director of cricket Enoch Nkwe.
“Umpires are central to the game of cricket. We at Cricket SA are fortunate to have an extremely competent group of match officials. I would like to extend special praise for Lauren Agenbag, who continues to raise her profile and with it fly the flag of all women.
“Her promotion to the Elite Panel is a major accomplishment and a huge inspiration for all young women out there hoping to pursue a career in cricket. We are really proud of her.
“The story of Mthoko Shezi is also a motivating one, and will hopefully inspire more retired Proteas and ex-players to pursue a career in umpiring.
“Their expertise on the field can no doubt contribute towards developing better officials in the future.”
The panels are:
CSA Elite Umpires Panel: Allahudien Paleker, Bongani Jele, Babalo Gcuma, Stephen Harris, Arno Jacobs, Siphelele Gasa, Abdoellah Steenkamp, Mazizi Gampu, Abongile Soduma, Brad White, Dennis Smith, Philip Vosloo, Thomas Mokorosi, Ryan Hendricks and Lauren Agenbag.
CSA Reserve Umpires List Panel: Roger Burne, Roderick Ellis, Jannie Erasmus, Gladman Gaseba, Marlon Jansen, Kerrin Klaaste, Bongani Ntshebe, Khatso Ntuli, Andre Olivier, Jurie Sadler, Mtokozizi Shezi, Godwin von Willingh and Warren Wyngaard.
CSA Match Referees: Rudi Birkenstock, Murray Brown, Shandre Fritz, Cliffie Isaacs, Barry Lambson, Zed Ndamande and Shaid Wadvallah.
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