Umpire Ghouse dies aged 83

Mohammad Ghouse, who officiated in eight Tests and two ODIs in the 1970s and '80s, died in Chennai on Monday.

Ghouse, 83, made his first-class debut as an umpire in a Ranji Trophy match in 1968-69 and went on to officiate over 18 seasons. His first Test as an official was in his hometown, between India and New Zealand, in 1975-76.

Ghouse officiated at a time when the system of neutral umpires didn't exist. As a result, he was involved in a controversy when England protested against his appointment for the Mumbai Test in the winter of 1981. When India objected to David Constant's appointment for the first Test in England the following year, it was considered to be payback from the Indian establishment.

After Ghouse retired as an umpire, he served as the chairman of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association's umpires sub-committee and as a BCCI match referee. On behalf of TNCA members, president N Srinivasan expressed "profound sorrow and grief" at his demise.