Cricket Victoria would like to congratulate pioneering Victorian umpire Lisa McCabe, who has announced her retirement from officiating. From her humble beginnings in country Victoria to officiating on the international stage, McCabe’s career is a remarkable story of growth, perseverance, and service to the game. Her journey has not only broken barriers but also paved […]
Cricket Victoria would like to congratulate pioneering Victorian umpire Lisa McCabe, who has announced her retirement from officiating.
From her humble beginnings in country Victoria to officiating on the international stage, McCabe's career is a remarkable story of growth, perseverance, and service to the game. Her journey has not only broken barriers but also paved the way for future generations of umpires.
McCabe began her umpiring career in Bendigo, cutting her teeth in local competitions before making the move to Melbourne to officiate in the Victorian Premier Cricket competition – one of the strongest pathways to elite umpiring in Australia. Her rise was swift and well-earned, built on a foundation of talent, commitment, and professionalism.
McCabe's representative journey took flight in 2017-18 with an appointment to the Cricket Australia (CA) Under 18 Female National Championships, held fittingly in her hometown of Bendigo. She followed this up with a national appointment to CA's Under 15 Female National Championships the following season.
That same season, McCabe made a statement in men's cricket, appointed to the Men's Third Grade Grand Final – an achievement that earned her the Men's Third Grade Umpire of the Year award from the Victorian Cricket Association Umpires & Scorers' Association.
In 2019-20, McCabe's career soared to new heights. She was appointed to the Victorian State & Territory Umpire Panel and made her Women's National Cricket League (WNCL) debut in January 2020. Not long after, she stood in her first Men's Premier First Grade match and was appointed to the Final of the Under 18 Female National Championships in Tasmania.
Despite the interruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, McCabe's trajectory remained upward. In the 2021-22 season, she earned her first international appointment, officiating in the Australia A vs. England Lions women's tour matches in Adelaide, held in conjunction with the Women's Ashes Series.
Ahead of the 2022-23 season, McCabe was selected to complete the highly regarded Level 3 High Performance Officiating Accreditation. That same summer, she made her debut in the Women's Big Bash League, further solidifying her standing among Australia's top officials.
The 2023-24 season brought more milestones. McCabe made her Women's T20 International debut during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Regional Qualifiers in Port Vila, Vanuatu. She was then appointed Fourth Umpire for the Women's Test Match between Australia and South Africa at the WACA Ground in Perth and later travelled to the UAE to officiate in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifiers.
Continuing her international momentum, McCabe made her Men's T20 International debut last season, officiating in the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier between Samoa and Fiji in Apia, Samoa. She capped off a stellar year by serving as Fourth Umpire for two ODIs and the historic Day-Night Women's Ashes Test at the MCG.
Beyond her on-field accomplishments, McCabe has been a passionate advocate for female representation in officiating. She co-founded the Women's Match Officials Forum, a national network that supports and connects female umpires across Australia.
Cricket Victoria Head of Umpiring & Community Coaching, Ben Brennan, paid tribute to McCabe's outstanding contribution:
"Lisa McCabe has been a true pioneer – not only for women's umpiring but for women's cricket throughout Victoria."
"Her achievements at Premier, State, National and International levels speak to her perseverance, adaptability, and passion for the game."
"Beyond her performances on the field, Lisa's tireless commitment to mentoring and developing the next generation of umpires will leave a lasting legacy."
"On behalf of everyone at Cricket Victoria, I'd like to sincerely thank Lisa for her contribution and wish her all the very best in the next chapter of her journey."
McCabe leaves the game with a legacy that will echo well beyond the boundary – an inspiration for women in cricket and a respected leader in the officiating community.
