In the times, when women are breaking all the barriers by working beyond their limits in every field possible, the female athletes in the game of cricket are taking over the world by doing some really groundbreaking things.  

This time they are on the verge of making history once again as umpires Eloise Sheridan and Mary Waldron are all set to be the first female duo to officiate in a men’s first-grade premier (club) cricket match, later this week. 

Waldron and Sheridan will be standing in a match between Northern Districts and Tea Tree Gully in Adelaide, which will also feature Australia's Test vice-captain Travis Head.

When it comes to breaking the barriers, Sheridan is not new to such historical work as she was the first female umpire to stand in the first-grade game of South Australian Premier Cricket which happened 18 months ago. She was also a part of the umpiring staff who stood in the Rebel Women’s Big Bash League match between Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars, becoming the first female pair to officiate a professional match in Australia.   

Meanwhile, Waldron, who has played the game for the team of Ireland in the ICC T20 World Cup late last year and has also been a part of her country’s football team, will be officiating her first-ever men’s game. And that is not all, Waldron also has to juggle between her umpiring duties and playing duties for her club Port Adelaide.

SACA State Umpire Coach Daniel Goldwin feels that it is wonderful to see women coming ahead and breaking all the barriers in the game of cricket.

“To have so many firsts for female umpires in our State in recent times has been wonderful to see. This achievement for Eloise and Mary is very significant as an Australian first and speaks volumes about how hard they have both worked on their development over the past few seasons.”

Adding, “Our umpires are all appointed to matches on merit and both women are very deserving of the position they are in and the opportunities that are being presented to umpire high-level games.”

This historical event will take place on Saturday this week at the Pertaringa Oval.