ICC Board Umpires' Managers meeting - August 7th & 8th 2003

International Cricket Council Board Umpires' Managers Meeting was held on August 7th 8th in Dubai. All ten full member countries were represented. David Richardson, General Manager and Chirs Kelly, Umpires & Referees Manager represented the ICC.
Please find below a summary of what was discussed at the meeting.

ICC Policy on Panels - "The New International Umpire"

Overview: Of late the level of professionalism of players at the international level has increased significantly. Overall, today's international player is better equipped, better trained and better prepared than they were ten years ago. On the umpiring front too there has been an increase level of professionalism, but the increase has not kept pace with that of the players. International umpires of the future will have to bridge this gap.

The ICC is looking for following core skills in all their umpires.

• Fitness & Concentration - Umpires need to be fitter so they can meet the rigors of international cricket. Physical fitness generally has a direct impact on an umpire's ability to concentrate over long period of time in match situations.
  
• Team Work - Umpires are a team. They must support each other.
  
• Dress & Appearance - "Must look like a Cricketer"
  
• Application of laws, regulations and the code of conduct correctly
  
• Preparation - Awareness of their role; familiar with the history of teams and players; ground conditions, proper diet and rest
  
• Feedback & Assessment - Need to follow up on ICC assessments and also self assessment
  

While each country has its own unique structure of umpiring, there are some common practices in terms of training and assessing the performance of umpires.

• Captains reports are invaluable in assessing the performance of umpires
  
• Independent panels of assessors are also extremely useful to monitor umpires
  
• Whenever possible, video analysis should be done
  
• A fitness regimen is highly recommended (at least for top panel members) for all umpires
  
• Yearly medical screening of umpires by Boards is recommended
  
• ICC feels that each Board should make all efforts to offer viable career paths for their top umpires by offering contracts - at least small retainers
  
• 50-60 days of 1st class umpiring a year is the general trend in most countries except for Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Bangladesh
  
• Former international and 1st class players should be targeted as future umpires and offered fast tracts to the top
  

First Class Exchange Programe

Currently, South Africa and New Zealand are the two countries with an exchange programe.

• Each season, one "Up and coming" umpire from each country will do 1-3 1st class matches in the other country
  
• The matches should be important ones
  
• Both countries feel that the programe has been very beneficial. Seven of the 12 individuals involved (Chris King, David Quested, Evan Watkin BillyBowden, Brain Jerling, Ian Howell & Rob Brooks) went on to officiate at the international level
  
• All participants agreed that these should be encouraged
  
• ICC agreed to act as co-ordonator for any future exchanges

Future of Umpiring

ICC feels that in the future, members of the Elite Panel should be selected on merit ( a member country will not have automatic right to representation).