Four East Asia-Pacific Umpires appointed to ICC World Cup Qualifying Event

Four ICC East Asia-Pacific (EAP) umpires have been appointed to stand at the ICC World Cup Qualifying Series Division 2 tournament in Malaysia from 21-28 February.

Tony Cooper (Fiji), Geoff Clelland (Vanuatu), Anton McCloy (Japan) and Shahul Hameed (Indonesia) were appointed as the EAP representatives, in addition to 16 umpires from other regions, as the ICC looks to develop an Associates and Affiliates Umpires Panel.

Less than three years after the introduction of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires as an independent panel for Test match and One-Day International cricket, the ICC has opened up the pathway to top level umpiring for officials from its 82 Associate and Affiliate Member countries.

ICC General Manager - Cricket David Richardson said that it was necessary to provide opportunities for officials from outside the ICC Full Member countries to develop their skills.

"It is important that we provide the same development opportunities for umpires from nations outside the Test-playing nations as we do for the teams from these countries," said Mr Richardson.

"This initiative will give us an opportunity to work with these officials and help us identify candidates to officiate at future events."

The umpires will take part in a two-day seminar with Darrell Hair from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and the ICC Umpires and Referees Manager, Chris Kelly, before being assessed on their performances in the tournament.

The most promising umpires from the event will be invited to join the ICC Associates and Affiliates Umpires Panel from which members will be appointed to ICC Intercontinental Cup matches and other Associate and Affiliate tournaments.

The Panel members will also be eligible for ICC events including the ICC Trophy and the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup and could even be invited to be involved in the ICC Champions Trophy and ICC Cricket World Cup.

Members of the ICC Associates and Affiliates Umpires Panel will be asked to take a role in the training and development of other umpires within their country and region.