SL: Umpires KT Francis & BC Cooray To Stand In England (12 Jun 1996)

12 June 1996

`KT` and `BC` to stand in England

Sri Lanka`s two leading international cricket umpires K.T. Francis and B.C. Cooray will be officiating in the Test matches during the current English season.

Francis has been assigned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to stand as an independent umpire in the third and final Test between England and India at Trent Bridge, Nottingham from July 4-9.

Cooray will officiate in the third and final Test between England and Pakistan at the Oval from August 22-26.

Both Francis and Cooray are Sri Lanka`s nominees in the 20-member National Grid International Panel of Test Match Umpires which comprises umpires from all nine Test-playing countries.

Francis had previously officiated in three Tests since becoming a member of the panel in 1994 - at Christchurch, Cape Town and Madras, while Cooray has previously officiated in two at Bulawayo and Christchurch.

They also officiated in the recently concluded Wills World Cup tournament won by Sri Lanka.

Australia`s controversial umpire Darrel Hair is officiating the first two Tests between England and India of the current series. The second Test which begins on June 20 at Lord`s marks the final appearance of England`s long serving and popular umpire Harold `Dickie ` Bird, who is retiring from the game after this Test.

Source :: Daily News (http.//www.lanka.net)