Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires expanded to 10 members

The International Cricket Council today announced the expansion of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires from seven to 10 members following the annual review of umpire performance at the end of March 2006.

All of the existing Emirates Elite Panel members have been retained with Mark Benson, Billy Doctrove and Asad Rauf joining the top tier of international cricket officialdom.

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed congratulated the new Panel members on their achievement.

"The three new members of the Emirates Elite Panel have earned their places at the top level by setting high standards in international matches," said Mr Speed.

"They join an elite group of officials who do an exceptionally difficult job very well."

The composition of the panel is determined by Mr Speed and the Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee, Sunil Gavaskar. In making their decisions they take into consideration the correct decision percentages of umpires and the reports from captains and match referees.

Mr Speed said the expansion of the Panel would have a positive impact on the workload of the top umpires.

"Umpiring international cricket matches is one of the toughest jobs in world sport and we felt a seven-man Panel was probably a little light.

"We were determined, however, not to expand the Panel for the sake of it. So over the last year we have given extra appointments to umpires from the second-tier Emirates International Panel who had a good track record in home ODI matches.

"It is as a result of this process that Mark, Billy and Asad find themselves on the Emirates Elite Panel."

Mark Benson said he was proud to have made the Emirates Elite Panel.

"It is a great honour to be named as one of the Emirates Elite Panel," said Mr Benson.

"It is important to do the job as well as you can so that you earn the respect of the players."

New Panel member Asad Rauf from Pakistan said he was delighted to receive the news.

"It's the biggest news of my long cricket career as a player and umpire. It's a dream come true but I believe the biggest thing is not getting onto the panel but staying there and that will be my focus," said Mr Rauf.

Billy Doctrove was similarly pleased to make the Panel. "I feel very proud because it means that I have made good progress in my umpiring levels and I know that my country, Dominica, though a very small one of only 70,000 people will be extremely proud of my achievement as they have always supported and encouraged me throughout my career."

ICC General Manager - Cricket David Richardson explained why the three umpires had been promoted to the Emirates Elite Panel.

"Mark has officiated in eight Test matches in four different countries and his performances have been up there with the current members of the Emirates Elite Panel. He also performed exceptionally well in the recent VB Series and we have been impressed by his calm approach and the respect he has earned from the players.

"Asad has shown very good judgement in several high-profile ODI matches and we were particularly impressed with the way he handled the Boxing Day Test between Australia and South Africa.

"Billy has been a consistent performer in international cricket for a number of years and his appointment to the Emirates Elite Panel is a reward for this consistency. His decision-making is good and his calm approach has stood him in good stead in pressure situations."

Mr Richardson added: "It is important to remember that just as umpires only make it onto the Emirates Elite Panel by proving they are excellent officials, they only retain their place if they can maintain these high standards on a consistent basis from year to year.

"The challenge ahead for all 10 members of the Emirates Elite Panel over the next 12 months is to prove, once again, that they are amongst the best in the world at their job.

"The ICC will be doing everything it can to support them along the way."

Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires 2006-07

Mark Benson
Billy Bowden
Steve Bucknor
Aleem Dar
Billy Doctrove
Darrell Hair
Daryl Harper
Rudi Koertzen
Asad Rauf
Simon Taufel

The composition of the Emirates Elite Panel is reviewed every 12 months. Replacements for the three vacancies on the second-tier Emirates International Panel will be announced in due course.

The composition of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Referees is also under discussion and will be confirmed soon.

Test matches: 8
ODI matches: 24

After a successful first-class career as an opening batsman which included representative honours for England, Mark became a first-class umpire in 2000. A stint in Bangladesh at the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup 2004 led to him standing in his first ODI match between England and West Indies at Trent Bridge in June 2004. Mark made his Test umpiring debut in October 2004, again in Bangladesh, and has subsequently officiated Test matches in Zimbabwe, India and New Zealand. He has now umpired matches involving all 10 Full Member countries, is well respected by the players and was highly rated in the recent VB Series in Australia.

Test matches: 7
ODI matches: 45

Billy has officiating in his blood and now holds the rare distinction of reaching the top level in both cricket and football. Hailing from the small island of Dominica he became his home country's first FIFA referee in 1995 and officiated in several international matches around the Caribbean including a World Cup qualifier between Guyana and Grenada in 1996. He retired from international football refereeing in 1997 to concentrate on cricket and stood in his first ODI between West Indies and England in April 1998. He made his Test bow in Antigua in May 2000 before the advent of two neutral umpires for Test matches. He has since officiated in Test matches in Australia and South Africa and his 45 ODI matches have included many high-profile games covering the full spectrum of Full Member countries.

Test matches: 5
ODI matches: 18

Asad began umpiring at the same time as his younger club cricket colleague Aleem Dar who is also on the Emirates Elite Panel. Asad was encouraged to take up umpiring after a lengthy first-class cricket career and after making his first tentative steps in 1997, quickly progressed through the ranks to be rewarded with his first ODI appointment in February 2000. He has stood a further 17 ODI matches including six high-profile Pakistan - India matches and the first three games of India's current home series against England. The highlight of his five Test career has been his performance in the Boxing Day Test between Australia and South Africa.