Anna Harris is an inspirational young female umpire who created history earlier this month when she officiated alongside Yvonne Dolphin-Cooper in the first all-female umpiring duo in an ECB Premier League match in Bristol.
As the 22-year-old prepares to stand in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, while also balancing the demands as a medical student and playing for Wales, she found a gap in her busy schedule to tell us about her passion for cricket and why she is honoured to represent a sport offering more opportunities for more people.
"Being out in the middle is one of my favourite feelings. Whether I’m umpiring or playing there’s just something about the buzz, the atmosphere, it’s exciting! Earlier this month, when Yvonne and I umpired together in Bristol, was no exception.
Standing in the first ECB Premier League game to be umpired by an all-female team was really quite special. Not just because it was a great game - which it was as the match came right down to the wire - but because of what it symbolises in cricket.
Change is happening and to be a part of it is a genuine honour.
I’ve been passionate about cricket from the moment I was introduced to it. I remember it was a rainy day at school - I was about five years old - and one of the teachers brought the cricket kit out to keep us entertained and something just clicked.
I ran home that afternoon practically begging my mum to sign me up to our local club and I’ve just not stopped playing since.
It was my mum who actually suggested I do the umpiring course.
I was 16 and wanted to make some money over the summer and it was the perfect fit! I could umpire on a Saturday and play on a Sunday so my weekends would still be cricket focused and I could earn a little bit of money.
Back then I’d never in a million years have guessed I’d be where I am now.
The game between Downend CC and Bedminster CC in Gloucestershire was a real nail-biter and although it was the first time two women had officiated in the Premier League, it wasn’t a big deal on the day. The teams were both polite and respectful, honestly the atmosphere was great.
Umpiring men’s and women’s cricket can be so different, if only volume-wise! The men tend to be so much louder in their appeals for example which can really put the pressure on! Having to concentrate and stand firm in your decisions isn’t always easy, but I love the challenge of it.
This season I’m really looking forward to getting some more time out on the field. It’s my happy place whether I have a bat, ball or a clicker in my hand I’m so grateful to have the opportunities I do.
I’ll be looking to umpire in the upcoming Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy as I did last year, alongside the ECB Prem and various other outlets as long as my university schedule allows!
I would urge anyone interested in umpiring to go along to a course and give it a go.
It’s great fun and we need more women and girls in all aspects of the game, including officiating!
Cricket Wales and the ECB have been so supportive throughout my journey so far, the new ‘Umpire Pathways’ are making it a lot easier to get qualified now too. Cricket is a game for everyone, I’d love to see more women and girls involved in the officiating side!"