Elite Panel of ICC Umpires explained

The Elite Panel of ICC Umpires is a panel of cricket umpires appointed by the International Cricket Council to officiate in Test matches and One Day Internationals around the world. The panel was first established in April 2002 when the ICC decided to reform the way that international cricket was umpired. The main change was that both umpires in a Test match and one of the umpires in a One Day International were now independent of the competing nations, whereas before 2002 just one of the umpires in a Test was independent and in ODIs both umpires were from the home nation. The majority of these ICC appointments are fulfilled by the members of the Elite Panel, who are generally thought to be the best umpires in the world. As such the ICC hopes to ensure that umpiring standards are as high as possible. Members of the panel stand in around 10 Tests and 15 ODIs each year.[1] The list of umpires in the panel is revised every year by the ICC Umpires Selection Panel.

History

The panel was formed in 2002 with eight members.[2] Peter Willey was invited to be on the panel, but declined the opportunity because it would have required him to spend too much time away from his family.[3] The last members of the original panel retired in 2011. The original eight panel members were: Steve Bucknor, Daryl Harper, Ashoka de Silva, Srinivas Venkataraghavan, Rudi Koertzen, Dave Orchard, David Shepherd and Russell Tiffin.

Members of the International Panel of ICC Umpires stand in ODIs in their home countries, and may be appointed by the ICC to Tests and ODIs as an independent officials at busy times in the cricket calendar to supplement the Elite Panel. The best performing umpires may earn promotion to the Elite Panel. Emirates sponsors the panel, and the umpires are required to wear shirts and coats which have 'Fly Emirates' printed on them whenever they are officiating.[4]

In July 2019, Michael Gough and Joel Wilson were added to the Elite panel following the retirement of Ian Gould and exclusion of Sundaram Ravi after the 2019 Cricket World Cup.[5] On 16 March 2023, Ahsan Raza and Adrian Holdstock joined the panel after Aleem Dar stepped down from the panel.[6]

In March 2024, Sharfuddoula was added to the Elite Panel after South African umpire Marais Erasmus retired from umpiring in international cricket and thus Sharfuddoula became the first umpire from Bangladesh to be included in this panel.[7]

, Australia and England have jointly provided the most panel members with seven. South Africa with four, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and West Indies have provided three; Sri Lanka has provided two; Zimbabwe and Bangladesh has provided just one member. No members have featured from Afghanistan and Ireland, among the Full members.

Current members

cricket season the Elite Panel consists of:[8] [9] [10] [11]

List of Elite Panel of ICC Umpires
UmpireDate of BirthAge as of Year AppointedTests[12] ODIs[13] T20Is[14] Country
Rod Tucker28 August 1964 2010 88 102 58 Australia
Kumar Dharmasena24 April 1971 2011 83 127 47 Sri Lanka
Richard Kettleborough15 March 1973 2011 83 107 40 England
Richard Illingworth23 August 1963 2013 69 90 35 England
Paul Reiffel19 April 1966 2013 66 90 33 Australia
Chris Gaffaney30 November 19752015 54 86 50 New Zealand
Michael Gough18 December 1979 2019 35 86 28 England
Joel Wilson30 December 1966 2019 40 92 50 West Indies
Nitin Menon2 November 1983 2020 25 58 48 India
Ahsan Raza29 May 1974 2023 13 53 82 Pakistan
Adrian Holdstock27 April 1970 2023 11 59 55 South Africa
Sharfuddoula16 October 1976 2024 11 63 52 Bangladesh

Former members

The first departures from the panel came in 2004 when Srinivas Venkataraghavan (known as Venkat) retired,[15] and Asoka de Silva, Dave Orchard and Russell Tiffin did not have their contracts renewed.[16] David Shepherd retired in 2005 following 22 years as an international umpire.[17] Darrell Hair, who joined the panel in 2003, was banned from officiating in matches involving full ICC members following the ball tampering controversy in August 2006.[18] In March 2008, following a spell officiating associate members, Hair was once again permitted to umpire full members,[19] but in August he handed in his resignation after he was only allowed to officiate in two Tests.[20]

Steve Bucknor retired in 2009, having stood in a then record 128 Tests since March 1989.[21] Rudi Koertzen retired in 2010,[22] while Mark Benson, who had joined the panel in 2006, stood down to return to domestic cricket.[23] Asoka de Silva, who rejoined the panel in 2008, was stood down again in 2011 along with Daryl Harper,[24] Simon Taufel and Billy Doctrove retired in 2012[25] and Steve Davis retired in 2015. Sundaram Ravi was dropped from the panel after 2019 Cricket World Cup.[26] Ian Gould retired from the panel after the 2019 World Cup.[27] Bruce Oxenford retired from the panel in 2021.[28]

Former elite panel members can still umpire in ODIs and international T20s. Statistics correct as of 31 January 2021.

List of Former members of Elite Panel of ICC Umpires
UmpireDate of BirthJoined PanelLeft PanelTestsODIsT20IsCountry
31 May 1946 2002 2009 128 181 West Indies
Asoka de Silva^ 28 March 1956 2002 2011 49 121 11 Sri Lanka
23 October 1951 2002 2011 94 174 10 Australia
26 March 1949 2002 2010 108 206 14 South Africa
24 June 1948 2002 2004 44 107 South Africa
27 December 1940 2002 2005 92 172 England
4 June 1959 2002 2004 44 126 4 Zimbabwe
21 April 1945 2002 2004 73 52 India
Darrell Hair30 September 1952 2003 2008 78 135 6 Australia
Billy Doctrove3 July 1955 2006 2012 38 112 17 West Indies
Mark Benson6 July 1958 2006 2010 27 72 19 England
Simon Taufel21 January 1971 2003 2012 74 174 34 Australia
Tony Hill26 June 1951 2009 2014 40 96 17 New Zealand
Asad Rauf12 May 1956 2006 2013 47 98 23 Pakistan
scope=rowBilly Bowden11 April 1967 2003 2015 84 200 21 New Zealand
scope=rowSteve Davis9 April 1952 2008 2015 57 137 26 Australia
Ian Gould19 August 1957 2009 2019 73 135 37 England
Sundaram Ravi22 April 1966 2010 2019 33 48 18 India
Nigel Llong11 February 1969 2012 2020 62 130 32 England
Bruce Oxenford5 March 1960 2012 2021 62 97 20 Australia
Aleem Dar6 June 1968 2004 2023139 210 46 Pakistan
Marais Erasmus27 February 1964 2010 2024 82 124 43 South Africa
^de Silva was absent from the panel between 2004 and 2008.

Records

Test matches

Most Test matches as an umpire:[29]

Umpire Period Matches TV Umpire Total
2003–2023 144 27 171
1989–2009128 2 130
1992–2010 108 20 128
1996–2011 95 9 104
1985–2005 92 0 92
Last updated: 19 March 2023

ODI matches

Most ODI matches as an umpire:[30]

Umpire Period Matches TV Umpire Total
2003–present 231 68 299
1992–2010 209 41 250
1995–2016 200 59 259
1989–2009 181 26 207
1994–2011 174 45 219
Last updated: 19 March 2023

T20I matches

Most T20I matches as an umpire:[31]

UmpirePeriod Matches TV Umpire Total
2010–present 80 26 106
2009–present 72 19 91
- style="background:#cfc;"
2006–present 55 25 80
2011–present 54 25 79
2015–present 60 19 79
Last updated: 19 June 2024

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://icc-cricket.yahoo.com/about-icc/match-officials.html About ICC – Match Officials
  2. https://i.imgci.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2002/MAY/002885_ICC_16MAY2002.html ICC's Announcement of Elite Panel in 2002
  3. Web site: Shepherd takes lone stand . BBC Sport . 4 March 2024 . 12 March 2002.
  4. https://www.icc-cricket.com/about/partners/sponsors/emirates Emirates Sponsorship
  5. Web site: Michael Gough, Joel Wilson added to ICC Elite umpires panel; S Ravi omitted . ESPNcricinfo. 30 July 2019.
  6. News: Aleem Dar ends 19-year old career as Elite Panel Umpire . 17 March 2023 . Cricbuzz.
  7. News: Sharfuddoula becomes the first Bangladesh umpire to be included in the ICC Elite Panel . 28 March 2024 . www.icc-cricket.com . 28 March 2024 . en.
  8. News: Sharfuddoula becomes the first Bangladesh umpire to be included in the ICC Elite Panel. 28 March 2024. ICC.
  9. Web site: Elite Panel of ICC Umpires. International Cricket Council . 22 July 2021.
  10. Web site: Nitin Menon included in Elite Panel for 2020-21 . International Cricket Council . 31 January 2020.
  11. News: Adrian Holdstock, Ahsan Raza join ICC Elite Panel of Umpires as Aleem Dar steps down . 17 March 2023 . www.icc-cricket.com . en.
  12. Web site: Test records – Most matches umpired. ESPNcricinfo. 7 January 2019.
  13. Web site: ODI records – Most matches umpired. ESPNcricinfo. 7 January 2019.
  14. Web site: T20I records – Most matches umpired. ESPNcricinfo. 7 January 2019.
  15. Web site: Venkat announces retirement date . ESPNcricinfo . 4 March 2024 . 5 February 2004.
  16. Web site: Two new Umpires graduate to Emirates Eilte Panel, three Umpires not offered new contracts . ESPNcricinfo . 4 March 2024 . 6 February 2004.
  17. Web site: Long . Jon . David Shepherd to retire from international cricket in Nelson's anniversary year . ESPNcricinfo . 4 March 2024 . 12 May 2005.
  18. http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/266878.html Hair banned
  19. http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/343055.html Darrell Hair reinstated by ICC
  20. http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/365890.html Hair quits to focus on coaching
  21. Web site: Coverdale . Brydon . 128 and done . ESPNcricinfo . 4 March 2024 . 18 March 2009.
  22. http://www.cricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/461939.html Umpire Rudi Koertzen set to retire
  23. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/8499944.stm Umpire Mark Benson retires from ICC elite panel
  24. http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/current/story/516640.html Harper, de Silva removed from Elite Panel
  25. http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/current/story/567610.html Billy Doctrove retires from international cricket
  26. Web site: India's S Ravi set to be axed from ICC Elite Panel of Umpires . Hindustan Times. May 2019 . 26 May 2019.
  27. Web site: Umpire Ian Gould to retire after World Cup . ESPNcricinfo. 26 April 2019.
  28. Web site: Umpire Oxenford to retire from international cricket. International Cricket Council . 22 July 2021.
  29. Web site: Most matches as an umpire: Test. ESPNcricinfo. 7 June 2012.
  30. Web site: Most matches as an umpire: ODI. ESPNcricinfo. 7 June 2012.
  31. Web site: Most matches as an umpire: T20I. ESPNcricinfo. 7 June 2012.