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Anna Harris - Umpire

I was introduced to cricket at primary school and I was instantly hooked. I played for several county sides, including Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Sussex and Wales, and those early experiences on the field shaped how I understand the game today.

Umpiring came into my life thanks to my mum Yolanda, who is also an umpire. At first I saw it as a way to stay involved in cricket and earn a bit of money, but it quickly became so much more. Standing in local leagues, I began to appreciate the responsibility and perspective that comes with officiating. You’re right in the heart of the game, making decisions that matter, and that challenge really appealed to me.

Things moved quite quickly after that. Within a few years, I progressed into higher levels of domestic cricket, and in 2021 I had the opportunity to officiate in my first international match. Being part of major competitions like The Hundred and global ICC Tournaments like the T20 World Cup has been both exciting and humbling.

What I value most now is not just the matches I stand in, but the chance to give back. I’m passionate about encouraging more women and girls to consider umpiring. It’s a brilliant way to stay connected to cricket, and I hope my journey shows that there’s space for everyone in the game.