Sue Redfern to become first women to officiate in a England men's home international

The 43-year-old will replace Alex Wharf as fourth umpire for the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Cardiff on Wednesday (June 23)

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Sue Redfern will break new ground as the first women to adjudicate in an England men's home international after being installed as fourth umpire for the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Cardiff.

The 43-year-old replaces Alex Wharf, who is currently a reserve umpire for the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand which will go into a sixth day due to inclement weather.

Redfern is an experienced official at international level and stood in last week's Test between England women and India at Bristol.

In all, she has stood in 32 women's internationals and take charge of 12 from the TV umpire's chair.

During her playing career, Redfern represented England in six Tests and 15 one-day internationals.

The appointment is the latest step into the men's game for female umpires.

Claire Polosak became the first women to oversee a men's Test when she was installed as the fourth umpire for the third Test between Australia and India at the SCG earlier in the year.

And in 2016, both Redfern and Jacqueline Williams officiated the World Cricket League Division Five match between Oman and Nigeria, the first known instance of two women taking charge of a men's ICC contest.

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