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BCCI appoints three new umpires to International Panel

The Indian board (BCCI) has introduced three new umpires to the ICC's International Panel

Cricinfo staff
09-Sep-2006


Venkat will give a roadmap on how to improve the standard of umpiring in India © Getty Images
The Indian board (BCCI) has introduced three new umpires to the ICC's International Panel. Amish Saheba of Gujarat, Suresh Shastri of Mumbai and GA Pratapkumar of Andhra Pradesh will replace K Hariharan, I Sivaram and AV Jayaprakash in the panel for a three-year term with immediate effect, MP Pandove, the BCCI joint secretary, announced.
Saheba and Shastri will perform on-field duties and will also be available for international games, while Pratapkumar will be the third umpire for matches at home. Pandove confirmed that the decision to revamp the entire panel was taken because the existing members did not make the ICC's Elite Panel. "It was decided to encourage young blood and weed out old umpires who are found incapable," a BCCI media release stated.
S Venkataraghavan, who retired as an international umpire in 2003, has been appointed as the director of umpires by the BCCI. Pandove said that within ten days Venkat would elaborate on methods for improving the standard of umpiring in India. He added that all domestic matches from the Under-19 level and up would be recorded for better analysis: "The video recording along with the reports given by the captain and match referee would be considered to assess the performance of umpires."
Pandove also said the best umpires in the country will be under a contract. "By next season we hope to prune down the number of umpires on the BCCI's Elite, All India and Ranji Trophy panel to 100. Of them about 20 to 25 will be given a contract. Those under the contract can focus solely on officiating and do not have to spend their energies on worrying about earning a livelihood."
Meanwhile, Venkat has recommended the appointment of retired umpires -- both Indian and foreigners -- to conduct refresher courses for umpires twice a year. He has also recommended the appointment of a coach from each zone who would assess the umpires on a daily basis. The BCCI will also conduct medical examinations of every umpire.