Salma Bi keen to see more women umpires

Award-winning female cricketer and level one umpire Salma Bi wants to see more women officiating at matches.

Just 436 of the England & Wales Cricket Board’s 7800 officials are women, although there are plans to double that number in the next three years.

And Worcestishire bowler Bi, who was named Woman in Cricket at the inaugural Asian Cricket Awards last month, believes there is nothing to hold women back from becoming umpires.

“I definitely think women are as capable as men. All that you need is the knowledge about the rules of the game,” Bi told Sky Sports.

“It’s a bit like driving – both men and women need to learn the theory before they can go for their driving test.

“For myself, studying for it and going to sessions at 8:00am on a Sunday morning was not only a personal goal, but also something I wanted to prove I could do.

“I was playing cricket and I knew a bit about it so for me it was just a case of picking up the MCC law book and learning the rules.

“I was told when I started that there were not many county girls coming forward to umpire let alone Asian girls.

“At the time there was a female referee in the men’s game. That gave me belief I could do it and when you’ve taught cricket to kids at school you’re more or less the coach and umpire anyway.”

The 28-year-old believes a lack of confidence and a shortage of role models might be holding some women back from training to become fully-fledged umpires.

“I think a lack of confidence and self-esteem is definitely an issue,” she said. “But also (former England cricketer) Sue Redfern is the only female official that I can readily identify.

“She’s helped me a lot, sending me details of women’s county U15 matches I could umpire in, and for some of those girls, it was the very first time that they had seen a female umpiring matches.

“I’ve also umpired Men’s Second XI sides in Sunday league cricket which is quite quick-paced, but I learnt a lot umpiring women’s county cricket alongside the other officials who have been there for years and really know their stuff.

“For me it’s a privilege to put on the white coat and stand in the middle knowing that yours is the decision that matters.”

This week's Sportswomen show is on at 1130 am on Sky Sports News HQ.  We will be joined in the studio by England bowler Katherine Brunt and we will be crossing to Lord's Cricket Ground for a special announcement