When Claire Polosak steps onto the field during the only women's Test match between Australia and India at the end of this month, it will mark a new milestone in her career.
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Not only will it be the first female Test match in which the Goulburn native has officiated, but it will also make her the first Australian umpire to stand in all three formats of women's international cricket.
It is yet another record achievement in the 33-year-old's decorated career, and she said she is "excited, and looking forward to the challenge."
"It's really exciting to be on the field with Phil Gillespie. We've done a lot of games together and we get on really well, so to be able to debut in a women's Test match with him is special."
Cricket NSW state umpiring manager, Darren Goodger, praised Polosak on her selection and said the opportunity was well-deserved.
"This appointment is a wonderful opportunity for Claire, having performed to an exceptional standard on every occasion she has been appointed by the ICC," Goodger said.
"Claire has made the most of her opportunities at international level, she has also created many for herself. She has worked hard in progressing through the umpiring pathway, is ready to perform at this level and deserving of this appointment."
While this match be the first Test in which Polosak has stood on-field, it will also mark her debut day-night match as an official.
Day-night matches are played with a pink ball, in order to maximise visibility as light fades. However, these balls have also become notorious for swinging viciously at dusk, something for which Polosak will have to be prepared.
"It will be my first pink ball game, so we're preparing as well as we can and getting into the nets with the girls, who are already using pink balls in the nets," she said.
"I have been told that there's probably a period of about 40 minutes at twilight where funny things can happen. From what I can gather, and speaking to the guys who have done pink ball games, it's really about making sure our routines are strong and we're watching the ball as hard as we can. That's all we can do."
The Test match between Australia and India will begin on September 30, but will be preceded by three One Day Internationals, the first of which will take place on September 21.
Polosak will also stand in one of the ODIs, along with the Test match, which will mark her 51st and 52nd international women's matches respectively as an umpire.
During this time, she has officiated games games featuring both the Indians and the Australians, and is confident as to what she can expect from the players on the field.
"You do get to know the players, you do get to know different ways to communicate with them," Polosak said.
"So much of umpiring is about communication, player management, and the relationships that you've got. Just being in the same hotel with the players, saying hello to them, and getting to know them is important.
"They see us coming to the nets, and realise that we're not just rocking up on game day, we're actually putting in our own preparation. I think that helps, and it's a great way to have a look at deliveries and how the batters bat in the nets so we're better prepared for game day."
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