History-maker Williams points to hard work

Female umpire, Jamaican Jacqueline Williams, has put forward hard work as the main reason for her meteoric rise in international cricket.

Set to stand in the ICC Women's World Twenty20 (T20) Qualifiers in Thailand starting on Saturday, Williams is the first West Indies female umpire to achieve the feat of officiating at an international tournament.

This follows the former Jamaican player, making her international debut in October when she stood in the first one-day and Twenty20 women international fixtures between the West Indies and touring Pakistan in the Caribbean.

"I have been working all these times, and I guess the opportunities are coming now," stated Williams.

"It feels good to be doing so many firsts and I am embracing them. One particular first I am also looking forward to is making my first-class debut."

The 39-year-old, upon completing her duties in Asia next week, is scheduled to return to Jamaica, where she is slated to become the first female umpire to officiate at the regional first-class level.

The fixture between the Jamaica Scorpions and the Guyana Jaguars is set for Sabina Park between Friday, December 11 and 14.

Williams could also become the first West Indian woman to umpire at the ICC Women World Cup that is scheduled to be staged in England in 2017. However, before that, she has one thing on her mind, and that is to do well in Thailand.

"My goals at the moment are simple," she pointed out.

"Go to Thailand and do a good job. Thereafter, I will continue to take it one game at a time, and hopefully, over time, I can be that light, that beacon, that encourages other females to take up the sport."

The Women's World T20 Qualifiers consists of eight teams and will see the two advancing to the ICC Women's World Twenty20 in India next year.

The participating countries are Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, the Netherlands, Ireland, China and hosts Thailand.