Who is Claire Polosak and why’s she making news in men’s cricket?

Cricket is a funny game they say. Heard that one? Well, you probably may have. Not that cricket becomes a sport where stand-ups sit down in the middle of the field to lighten up things for those who are in the middle of the 22 yards.

Cricket’s a game that unfurls unexpectedness at nearly every possible step. It’s a bit interesting and funny at the same time to note that while on the one hand, as its audience is growing, on the other, the template or format of the sport is decreasing. There was Test cricket first and foremost. Then, we saw the ODIs.

And now, apart from the T20s, there’s the 10-over format that’s being discussed and perhaps about to be officially inducted. Yet what’s most interesting in the middle of all this is the growth of the women’s game.

While the likes of Meg Lanning, Stafanie Taylor, Mithali Raj, Ellyse Perry, Dane van Niekerk and others are going strong as always, there’s the rise of hitherto unseen elements. Wondering what that is?

Well, it’s female umpires, what else?

And where female umpires are concerned then a certain Claire Polosak has already created history, at this point in time. Wondering why? Well, not only owing to the fact that she’s a noted female umpire but also for the fact that Claire Polosak just officiated in a men’s cricket contest.

How brilliant is that?

The Australian, therefore, became the first female umpire to ever officiate in a men’s contest. If that’s not unprecedented, then what is, one wonders?

Surely, it ought to be said that had there been someone like a Belinda Clark playing an ODI where Claire Polosak would’ve been the official ICC umpire, it would’vee made for an endearing site, isn’t it?

As of this last Saturday, Claire Polosak officiated in a limited overs men’s contest for an ICC World Cricket League Division two game.

And that’s not all? When the final of the tournament is played- the game between Oman and Namibia- then Claire Polosak would be standing in as the umpire again.

But that told, it’s not the first time where the 31-year-old has made news in international cricket. Back in 2017, Claire Polosak became the first-ever woman to officiate in a men’s domestic fixture. Two years down the line, she’s already creating news in an ICC Division 2 contest.

Her experience and talent has also taken her to the WBBL, arguably, the most noted T20 franchise league in the women’s game. Along with Eloise Sheridan, Claire has already officiated in a women’s T20 contest in the Women’s Big Bash League.

Now just imagine how fascinating would it be to see the graceful lady officiate in a Test cricket, say something like a Women’s Ashes?