Polosak Makes Sheffield Shield Debut

NSWCUSA member Claire Polosak makes her Sheffield Shield debut today, becoming NSWCUSA’s 87th member to umpire a men’s first-class match.

Polosak will be on-field for the Round 5 match between Western Australia and South Australia at the WACA Ground, which will see her become the 616th umpire to stand in a men’s first-class match in Australia.

She becomes the first Australian woman, and tenth known world-wide, to be on-field in a men’s first-class fixture.

Her appointment comes following recent involvement in the women’s international limited overs series against the West Indies last month and being involved in two regional ICC events over the winter.

NSW State Umpiring Manager Darren Goodger congratulated Polosak, “Claire has so much umpiring experience to draw on and this appointment to umpire a first-class match is pleasing recognition for her application, commitment to excellence and consistent performances in recent seasons.

“She displays outstanding attitude, character, discipline, integrity, professionalism and teamwork.

“Our New South Wales cricket community may be proud of Claire. She is an exceptional person and umpire; authentic, humble, real, living above the line behaviours in all she undertakes.

“We offer congratulations and our very best wishes for an enjoyable and successful first-class debut. May it be the first of many.”

She has been a member of Cricket Australia’s Supplementary Umpire Panel since 2014 and the ICC’s International Panel of Development Umpires since 2019.

Polosak has umpired at a Commonwealth Games, four Women’s T20 World Cups, two Women’s World Cups as well as a women’s Test between Australia and India in 2021 – among a total of 95 internationals across genders and formats.

In what has already been a busy season, she has been involved in the One-Day Cup, the WBBL and the Men’s Second XI competition.

Cricket Australia have previously appointed her on-field in three WBBL finals and two WNCL finals and she has been in the middle for six One-Day Cup matches, two Big Bash matches and nine State Second XI Fixtures.

Polosak’s on-field partner will be Tasmanian-based Sam Nogajski, with Match Referee David Gilbert and local scorers Lance Catchpole and Sandy Wheeler.

The match is scheduled to begin at 1.30pm (AEDT) each day (10.30am local) and will be broadcast on Kayo and cricket.com.au.

Photo: Sam Nogajski and Claire Polosak ahead of play at the WACA Ground // Getty