Burns joins ECB umpires list

Michael Burns, the former Warwickshire and Somerset cricketer, has been introduced to the ECB's first-class umpires' full list for 2016, following the recent retirement of Martin Bodenham.

Burns, who played as a wicketkeeper as well as a seam-bowling allrounder in a first-class career that spanned 13 years, also served as Somerset's captain before retiring in 2005. He was added to the umpiring reserve list in 2012.

Bodenham, who was appointed to the first-class list in 2009 following a distinguished career as a football referee, remains the only individual to have officiated across both domestic professional football and cricket.

"Martin can be very proud of the successful transition he made from one sporting code to another," said Gordon Hollins, the ECB chief operating officer. "He has been a highly respected figure within our first-class game and leaves with ECB's sincere thanks for his contribution to cricket and our best wishes for his retirement.

"We are also delighted to welcome Michael onto the full first-class list for the first time and congratulate him on having made such an impressive start to his umpiring career."

ECB Full List 2016 Rob Bailey, Neil Bainton, Paul Baldwin, Mark Benson, Michael Burns, Nick Cook, Nigel Cowley, Jeff Evans, Russell Evans, Steve Gale, Steve Garratt, Michael Gough, Ian Gould, Peter Hartley, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Graham Lloyd, Jeremy Lloyds, Neil Mallender, David Millns, Steve O'Shaughnessy, Tim Robinson, Martin Saggers, Alex Wharf.