Credit: Twitter
New Zealand’s Kim Cotton scripted history on Wednesday as she paved her way to officiate the second T20I match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Dunedin. She has become the first female on-field umpire in a full-member men’s international cricket match. She shared her duties with her fellow countryman, Wayne Knights.
Though this isn’t the first time she donned the umpire’s hat in a men’s international match, she had earlier officiated the third umpire’s role in the tied match between India and New Zealand in Hamilton. Cotton has several other records under name, she became first-ever female umpire by taking over the umpire’s role in the iconic 2020 ICC World T20 Final between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Not only this, but Kim also happens to be a part of three women T20 World Cup and one Women’s ODI World Cup. She also took the field for three World Cup finals, 2020, 2022 and 2023. Since 2018, Kim Cotton has officiated 54 women’s T20Is and 24 women’s ODIs.
Hosts take over their opponents by defeating them in the second T20I
New Zealand has defeated their visitors by a nine-wicket win in the second T20I, giving a befitting reply to Sri Lanka, who had taken their hosts down in the series opener. New Zealand had won the toss and chose to bowl first and managed to conclude at 141.
