Match officials for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 announced
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 25: Tim Southee of New Zealand bowls while umpire Joel Wilson of West Indies looks on during game three of the One Day International series between New Zealand and South Africa at Westpac Stadium on February 25, 2017 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
The International Cricket Council announced the appointments for the league phase of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019.
The team of umpires include the best 22 match officials from around the
globe.
The 16
umpires and six match referees finalised for the 48-match tournament include prolific
members from past World Cup-winning sides who be vital in the delivery of the
tournament starting 30 May-14 July between the world’s top 10 ODI sides.
The
opening match between hosts England and South Africa at The Oval will see three
World Cup winners officiating.
David Boon will be the match referee, Kumar Dharmasena one of the two on-field umpires alongside Bruce Oxenford.
Paul
Reiffel will be the third umpire while Joel Wilson the fourth official for the
match.
ICC senior manager for umpires and referees Adrian
Griffith said: “Officiating
at the World Cup as with playing, is an honour and the pinnacle of an
official’s career.
“It is a
tough job with the eyes of the cricketing world on every decision, but this
group of 22 is the very best from around the world who will rise to the
occasion.
“I wish
them all the very best.”
Madugalle,
the most experienced match referee, will be officiating in his sixth World Cup,
while it will be the fourth World Cup for Broad and Crowe and the fourth and
last for Gould, who has announced his retirement after the tournament.
Gould,
61, who was England’s wicketkeeper in the 1983 World Cup, has officiated in 74
Tests, 135 ODIs and 37 T20Is so far.
ICC General Manager for Cricket, Geoff Allardice said: “Ian has made an outstanding contribution to the game over a long period, particularly in the last decade as an international umpire for the ICC.
“He has
always put the interests of the game first, and in doing so has earned enormous
respect from his colleagues and players across all countries.
“His
presence on the field will be missed, but I am sure his lifelong association
with the game will continue.”
The appointments for the semi-finals will be announced at the end of the league stage and those for the final will be finalised after the semi-finals.
Match Officials at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019:
Match Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Andy Pycroft, Jeff
Crowe, Ranjan Madugalle, Richie Richardson
Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumar Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus,
Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel
Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Joel Wilson,
Michael Gough, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Paul Wilson