Lauren Agenbag wrote a new chapter in Cricket South Africa’s drive for gender equality this past week when she became the first female umpire to stand in a men’s first-class match in South Africa.

She was appointed to the match between the Central Gauteng Lions and Boland in the CSA Provincial three-day competition at the Wanderers Stadium from Thursday to Saturday last week as well as the subsequent CSA Provincial one-day match between the same two sides at Wits University on Sunday.

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She was recently appointed to CSA’s Reserve List umpiring panel and has also officiated in Women’s T20 International matches.

‘Lauren has become a standard bearer for women’s umpiring in South Africa,” commented CSA’s Acting Director of Cricket, Corrie van Zyl. ‘She has shown that there is no limit to what can be achieved with the required dedication and determination to live one’s personal dreams.

‘I am sure she will inspire others to follow the path she has set.’

Earlier this year, former Proteas cricketer Shandre Fritz was added to CSA’s match referees panel.

‘Shandre’s cricket CV speaks for itself. She represented the Proteas in 85 white-ball international matches between 2003 and 2014, captaining the country on several occasions. In addition, she became the first South African to score a century in international T20 cricket and was honoured as South African Women’s Cricketer of the Year in 2012,’ Van Zyl said at the time.

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