History-making Jamaican umpire hailed by Minister Grange

The historic appointment has drawn proud accolades from home, with Sports Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange congratulating the trailblazing umpire on her latest and most significant achievement.

“My heartiest congratulations to cricket umpire, Jacqueline Williams, who in a landmark appointment, stood in the ICC Women’s ODI Cricket World Cup finals in India today,” Minister Grange stated.

The minister highlighted that Williams’s path to the World Cup final has been paved with a series of groundbreaking accomplishments. “Jacqueline’s career has been marked by a number of firsts before today, including being the first woman umpire from the West Indies to umpire in a Men’s T-20 International featuring two full member teams.”

Williams, 49, is native of Ashton district, Westmoreland, 30 km east of the parish capital Savanna la Mar. 

“Jamaica and I daresay the West Indies are so proud of Jacqueline, this pioneering woman umpire, who by her excellent performance has done us proud,” Grange added.

Williams, a member of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires, shared the on-field duties with Australia’s Eloise Sheridan for the high-stakes final at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. The appointment was a testament to their consistent and excellent performances throughout the tournament.

The officiating duo was also in the middle for South Africa’s stunning 125-run victory over England in the semi-final. Furthermore, Williams brought specific experience to the final, having umpired the group stage encounter between the same two teams on October 9, a match which South Africa won in a thrilling run chase.

The match officials team for the final was completed by Sue Redfern as Third Umpire, Nimali Perera as Fourth Umpire, and Michell Pereira as the Match Referee.

While the Indian team ultimately clinched their maiden Women’s World Cup title, defeating South Africa in a captivating finale, the day also belonged to the officials. Jacqueline Williams’s presence in the final signifies a growing and welcome inclusivity in the sport, proving that excellence knows no gender.

As Minister Grange concluded in her statement, “Congratulations again Jacqueline”, a sentiment echoed across Jamaica and the entire West Indies for a daughter of the soil who has risen to the very pinnacle of her profession.

Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma guided India to a historic 52-run victory over South Africa which saw the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 hosts lift the trophy for the first time.

Sharma propelled her country to 298 for seven with a composed 58 before returning a match-winning five for 39 with the ball to bowl South Africa out for 246.

Verma had earlier crashed 87 at the top of the order to get India off to a strong start but captain Laura Wolvaardt responded during the Proteas’ chase with her ninth ODI century.

But once Sharma removed South Africa’s skipper, the hosts were able to finish the job and become world champions for the first time to the delight of an ecstatic crowd.