Elite Panel of ICC Umpires
{{Short description|Top level of professional field judges in cricket}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
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.[http://icc-cricket.yahoo.com/about-icc/match-officials.html About ICC – Match Officials] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201010047/http://icc-cricket.yahoo.com/about-icc/match-officials.html |date=1 February 2009 }} 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.[https://i.imgci.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2002/MAY/002885_ICC_16MAY2002.html ICC's Announcement of Elite Panel in 2002] 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.{{cite web |title=Shepherd takes lone stand |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/1869024.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=4 March 2024 |date=12 March 2002}} 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.[https://www.icc-cricket.com/about/partners/sponsors/emirates Emirates Sponsorship]
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27285035/michael-gough-joel-wilson-added-icc-elite-umpires-panel-s-ravi-omitted |title=Michael Gough, Joel Wilson added to ICC Elite umpires panel; S Ravi omitted |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=30 July 2019}} On 16 March 2023, Ahsan Raza and Adrian Holdstock joined the panel after Aleem Dar stepped down from the panel.{{cite news |title=Aleem Dar ends 19-year old career as Elite Panel Umpire |url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/125944/aleem-dar-ends-19-year-old-career-as-elite-panel-umpire-cricbuzzcom |access-date=17 March 2023 |work=Cricbuzz}}
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.{{cite news |title=Sharfuddoula becomes the first Bangladesh umpire to be included in the ICC Elite Panel |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/sharfuddoula-becomes-the-first-bangladesh-umpire-to-be-included-in-the-icc-elite-panel |access-date=28 March 2024 |work=www.icc-cricket.com |date=28 March 2024 |language=en}}
{{as of|2024|03|28}}, 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
{{as of|2025|3|25}} cricket season the Elite Panel consists of:{{cite news|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/sharfuddoula-becomes-the-first-bangladesh-umpire-to-be-included-in-the-icc-elite-panel|date=28 March 2024|title=Sharfuddoula becomes the first Bangladesh umpire to be included in the ICC Elite Panel|work=ICC}}{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/about/cricket/match-officials/umpires |title=Elite Panel of ICC Umpires|work=International Cricket Council |access-date=22 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1701140 |title=Nitin Menon included in Elite Panel for 2020-21 |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=31 January 2020}}{{cite news |title=Adrian Holdstock, Ahsan Raza join ICC Elite Panel of Umpires as Aleem Dar steps down |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/3111811 |access-date=17 March 2023 |work=www.icc-cricket.com |language=en}}{{cite web |access-date=25 March 2025 |title=Two new faces join the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/two-new-faces-join-the-icc-elite-panel-of-umpires |work=International Cricket Council}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ List of Elite Panel of ICC Umpires |
| scope="col" style="width:140px" | Umpire
! scope="col" style="width:110px" | Date of Birth ! scope="col" style="width:110px" | Age as of {{date}} ! scope="col" style="width:40px" | Year Appointed ! scope="col" style="width:40px" | Tests{{cite web|title=Test records – Most matches umpired|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283783.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=7 January 2019}} ! scope="col" style="width:40px" | ODIs{{cite web|title=ODI records – Most matches umpired|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283784.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=7 January 2019}} ! scope="col" style="width:40px" | T20Is{{cite web|title=T20I records – Most matches umpired|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283392.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=7 January 2019}} ! scope="col" style="width:110px" | Country |
|---|
| scope="row" | Rod Tucker
|| 28 August 1964 || {{ayd|1964|08|28}} || 2010 || 93 || 107 || 58 || {{flagicon|Australia}} Australia |
| scope="row" | Kumar Dharmasena
|| 24 April 1971 || {{ayd|1971|04|24}} || 2011 || 89 || 135 || 47 || {{flagicon|Sri Lanka}} Sri Lanka |
| scope="row" | Richard Kettleborough
|| 15 March 1973 || {{ayd|1973|03|15}} || 2011 || 90 || 109 || 40 || {{flagicon|England}} England |
| scope="row" | Richard Illingworth
|| 23 August 1963 || {{ayd|1963|10|04}} || 2013 || 74 || 99 || 35 || {{flagicon|England}} England |
| scope="row" | Paul Reiffel
|| 19 April 1966 || {{ayd|1966|04|19}} || 2013 || 73 || 95 || 33 || {{flagicon|Australia}} Australia |
| scope="row" | Chris Gaffaney
|| 30 November 1975|| {{ayd|1975|10|30}} || 2015 || 61 || 89 || 50 || {{flagicon|New Zealand}} New Zealand |
| scope="row" |Nitin Menon
|| 2 November 1983 || {{ayd|1983|11|2}} || 2020 || 30 || 60 || 50 || {{flagicon|India}} India |
| scope="row" |Ahsan Raza
|| 29 May 1974 || {{ayd|1974|05|29}} || 2023 || 21 || 59 || 82 || {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Pakistan |
| scope="row" |Adrian Holdstock
|| 27 April 1970 || {{ayd|1970|04|27}} || 2023 || 16 || 61 || 55 || {{flagicon|South Africa}} South Africa |
| scope="row" |Sharfuddoula
|| 16 October 1976 || {{ayd|1976|10|16}} || 2024 || 16 || 67 || 52 || {{flagicon|Bangladesh}} Bangladesh |
| scope="row" |Allahudien Paleker
|| 1 January 1978 || {{ayd|1978|1|1}} || 2025 || 4 || 23 || 67 || {{flagicon|South Africa}} South Africa |
| scope="row" |Alex Wharf
|| 4 June 1975 || {{ayd|1975|6|4}} || 2025 || 7 || 33 || 45 || {{flagicon|England}} England |
Former members
The first departures from the panel came in 2004 when Srinivas Venkataraghavan (known as Venkat) retired,{{cite web |title=Venkat announces retirement date |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/venkat-announces-retirement-date-136485 |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=4 March 2024 |date=5 February 2004}} and Asoka de Silva, Dave Orchard and Russell Tiffin did not have their contracts renewed.{{cite web |title=Two new Umpires graduate to Emirates Eilte Panel, three Umpires not offered new contracts |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/two-new-umpires-graduate-to-emirates-eilte-panel-three-umpires-not-offered-new-contracts-136519 |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=4 March 2024 |date=6 February 2004}} David Shepherd retired in 2005 following 22 years as an international umpire.{{cite web |last1=Long |first1=Jon |title=David Shepherd to retire from international cricket in Nelson's anniversary year |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/david-shepherd-to-retire-from-international-cricket-in-nelson-s-anniversary-year-209151 |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=4 March 2024 |date=12 May 2005}} 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.[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/266878.html Hair banned] In March 2008, following a spell officiating associate members, Hair was once again permitted to umpire full members,[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/343055.html Darrell Hair reinstated by ICC] but in August he handed in his resignation after he was only allowed to officiate in two Tests.[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/365890.html Hair quits to focus on coaching]
Steve Bucknor retired in 2009, having stood in a then record 128 Tests since March 1989.{{cite web |last1=Coverdale |first1=Brydon |title=128 and done |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/128-and-done-395527 |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=4 March 2024 |date=18 March 2009}} Rudi Koertzen retired in 2010,[http://www.cricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/461939.html Umpire Rudi Koertzen set to retire] while Mark Benson, who had joined the panel in 2006, stood down to return to domestic cricket.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/8499944.stm Umpire Mark Benson retires from ICC elite panel] Asoka de Silva, who rejoined the panel in 2008, was stood down again in 2011 along with Daryl Harper,[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/current/story/516640.html Harper, de Silva removed from Elite Panel] Simon Taufel and Billy Doctrove retired in 2012[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/current/story/567610.html Billy Doctrove retires from international cricket] and Steve Davis retired in 2015. Sundaram Ravi was dropped from the panel after 2019 Cricket World Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/india-s-s-ravi-set-to-be-axed-from-icc-elite-panel-of-umpires/story-P3u7mwfbqgDWHyejZXaXrO.html |title=India's S Ravi set to be axed from ICC Elite Panel of Umpires |work=Hindustan Times|date=May 2019 |access-date=26 May 2019}} Ian Gould retired from the panel after the 2019 World Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1182149.html |title=Umpire Ian Gould to retire after World Cup |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=26 April 2019}} Bruce Oxenford retired from the panel in 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/2000456 |title=Umpire Oxenford to retire from international cricket|work=International Cricket Council |access-date=22 July 2021}}
Former elite panel members can still umpire in ODIs and international T20s. Statistics correct as of 31 January 2021.
- {{dagger}} Original panel member
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ List of Former members of Elite Panel of ICC Umpires |
| scope="col" style="width:225px" | Umpire
! scope="col" style="width:120px" | Date of Birth ! scope="col" style="width:40px" | Joined Panel ! scope="col" style="width:40px" | Left Panel ! scope="col" style="width:40px" | Tests ! scope="col" style="width:40px" | ODIs ! scope="col" style="width:40px" | T20Is ! scope="col" style="width:160px" | Country |
|---|
| scope="row" | Dave Orchard {{dagger}}
|| 24 June 1948 || 2002 || 2004 || 44 || 107 || – || {{flagicon|South Africa}} South Africa |
| scope="row" | Russell Tiffin {{dagger}}
|| 4 June 1959 || 2002 || 2004 || 44 || 126 || 4 || {{flagicon|Zimbabwe}} Zimbabwe |
| scope="row" | Srinivas Venkataraghavan {{dagger}}
|| 21 April 1945 || 2002 || 2004 || 73 || 52 || – || {{flagicon|India}} India |
| scope="row" | David Shepherd {{dagger}}
|| 27 December 1940 || 2002 || 2005 || 92 || 172 || – || {{flagicon|England}} England |
| scope="row" | Darrell Hair
|| 30 September 1952 || 2003 || 2008 || 78 || 135 || 6 || {{flagicon|Australia}} Australia |
| scope="row" | Steve Bucknor {{dagger}}
|| 31 May 1946 || 2002 || 2009 || 128 || 182 || – || {{flagicon|West Indies}} West Indies |
| scope="row" | Mark Benson
|| 6 July 1958 || 2006 || 2010 || 27 || 72 || 19 || {{flagicon|England}} England |
| scope="row" | Rudi Koertzen {{dagger}}
|| 26 March 1949 || 2002 || 2010 || 108 || 206 || 14 || {{flagicon|South Africa}} South Africa |
| scope="row" | Asoka de Silva^ {{dagger}}
|| 28 March 1956 || 2002 || 2011 || 49 || 122 || 11 || {{flagicon|Sri Lanka}} Sri Lanka |
| scope="row" | Daryl Harper {{dagger}}
|| 23 October 1951 || 2002 || 2011 || 94 || 174 || 10 || {{flagicon|Australia}} Australia |
| scope="row" | Billy Doctrove
|| 3 July 1955 || 2006 || 2012 || 38 || 112 || 17 || {{flagicon|West Indies}} West Indies |
| scope="row" | Simon Taufel
| 21 January 1971 || 2003 || 2012 || 74 || 174 || 34 || {{flagicon|Australia}} Australia |
| scope="row" | Asad Rauf
| 12 May 1956 || 2006 || 2013 || 49 || 98 || 23 || {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Pakistan |
| scope="row" | Tony Hill
| 26 June 1951 || 2009 || 2014 || 40 || 97 || 17 || {{flagicon|New Zealand}} New Zealand |
| scope=row| Billy Bowden
|11 April 1967 || 2003 || 2015 || 84 || 200 || 24 || {{flagicon|New Zealand}} New Zealand |
| scope=row| Steve Davis
| 9 April 1952 || 2008 || 2015 || 57 || 137 || 26 || {{flagicon|Australia}} Australia |
| scope="row" | Ian Gould
|| 19 August 1957 || 2009 || 2019 || 74 || 141 || 37 || {{flagicon|England}} England |
| scope="row" | Sundaram Ravi
|| 22 April 1966 || 2015 || 2019 || 33 || 48 || 18 || {{flagicon|India}} India |
| scope="row" | Nigel Llong
|| 11 February 1969 || 2012 || 2020 || 62 || 130 || 32 || {{flagicon|England}} England |
| scope="row" | Bruce Oxenford
|| 5 March 1960 || 2012 || 2021 || 62 || 97 || 20 || {{flagicon|Australia}} Australia |
| scope="row" |Aleem Dar
|| 6 June 1968 || 2004 || 2023|| 145 || 231 || 72 || {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Pakistan |
| scope="row" | Marais Erasmus
|| 27 February 1964 || 2010 || 2024 || 82 || 124 || 43 || {{flagicon|South Africa}} South Africa |
| scope="row" | Michael Gough
|| 18 December 1979 || 2019 || 2025 || 42 || 92 || 28 || {{flagicon|England}} England |
| scope="row" | Joel Wilson
|| 30 December 1966 || 2019 || 2025 || 47 || 98 || 50 || {{flagicon|West Indies}} West Indies |
^de Silva was absent from the panel between 2004 and 2008.
Records
= Test matches =
Most Test matches as an umpire:{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283783.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|title=Most matches as an umpire: Test|access-date=7 June 2012}}
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||||
| Umpire | Period | Matches | TV Umpire | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{flagicon|PAK}} Aleem Dar | 2000–2023 | 144 | 27 | 171 |
| {{flagicon|West Indies}} Steve Bucknor | 1989–2009 | 128 | 2 | 130 |
| {{flagicon|RSA}} Rudi Koertzen | 1992–2010 | 108 | 20 | 128 |
| {{flagicon|AUS}} Daryl Harper | 1996–2011 | 95 | 9 | 104 |
| {{flagicon|ENG}} David Shepherd | 1985–2005 | 92 | 0 | 92 |
| colspan=8| Last updated: 19 March 2023 |
= ODI matches =
Most ODI matches as an umpire:{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283784.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|title=Most matches as an umpire: ODI|access-date=7 June 2012}}
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||||
| Umpire | Period | Matches | TV Umpire | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{flagicon|PAK}} Aleem Dar | 2003–2023 | 231 | 68 | 299 |
| {{flagicon|RSA}} Rudi Koertzen | 1992–2010 | 209 | 41 | 250 |
| {{flagicon|NZ}} Billy Bowden | 1995–2016 | 200 | 59 | 259 |
| {{flagicon|West Indies}} Steve Bucknor | 1989–2009 | 181 | 26 | 207 |
| {{flagicon|AUS}} Daryl Harper | 1994–2011 | 174 | 45 | 219 |
| colspan=8| Last updated: 19 March 2023 |
= T20I matches =
Most T20I matches as an umpire:{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283392.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|title=Most matches as an umpire: T20I|access-date=7 June 2012}}
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||||
| Umpire | Period | Matches | TV Umpire | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="background:#cfc;"
|{{flagicon|PAK}} Ahsan Raza | 2010–present | 80 | 26 | 106 | |
| style="background:#cfc;"
|{{flagicon|PAK}} Aleem Dar | 2009–present | 72 | 19 | 91 | |
| style="background:#cfc;" | |||||
| style="background:#cfc;"
|{{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Tucker | 2006–present | 55 | 25 | 80 | |
| style="background:#cfc;"
| {{flagicon|SA}} Adrian Holdstock | 2011–present | 54 | 25 | 79 | |
| style="background:#cfc;" | {{flagicon|ZIM}} Langton Rusere | 2015–present | 60 | 19 | 79 |
| colspan=8| Last updated: 19 June 2024 |
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090201010047/http://icc-cricket.yahoo.com/about-icc/match-officials.html ICC match officials]
{{Cricket umpires}}
{{Elite Panel of ICC Umpires}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elite Panel of Icc Umpires}}