Umpire Jacqueline Williams to make history when she stands during WI vs ENG 2nd T20I

Jacqueline Williams, a 47-year-old umpire from the West Indies, is poised to make history as the first female umpire from the country to officiate in a men's T20 International involving two Full-Member teams. The landmark moment in her career is set to take place during the second T20I clash of the ongoing five-game series between West Indies and England at the Grenada National Cricket Stadium in Grenada on Thursday, December 14. 

Williams will be positioned in the middle, alongside experienced umpire Gregory Brathwaite, while Leslie Reifer Jr will be the television umpire during the match. Patrick Gustard has been appointed as the fourth umpire, with former West Indies captain Sir Richie Richardson officiating as the Match Referee.

“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,” Williams told Cricket West Indies Media.

“Standing in full-member matches is something major for me. I don’t want to downplay the other international matches I officiated in before because that helped to prepare me for this. I am fully prepared. I am hoping that by virtue of other young females watching matches and seeing me in the middle as an umpire, it would inspire them to participate in cricket as players and as match officials. I am happy for the strides I have made so far, and I will always do my best so that those looking on will have someone to emulate," she added.

In addition, the upcoming match will be the first between West Indies and England to be contested in Grenada. The Rovman Powell-led side is leading the five-match series 1-0, after an impressive four-wicket win in the first T20I at Kensington Oval in Barbados.