Taufel tops the ton

Simon Taufel became the ninth umpire - and, at 35 years old, the youngest - to stand in 100 ODIs when he officiated in the Australia - England clash in Melbourne on Friday.

The fact that Taufel has achieved the mark at such a young age is testament to his ability as an official, something recognized by his being named as Umpire of the Year for three successive years at the ICC Awards.

But it is also shows how fate and fortune can play a part in life as he started umpiring almost by accident.

"I only got involved at first because a mate wanted some company at an umpiring course," said Taufel.

"I agreed to go along, surprised myself when I passed the course and so I gave it a go as it gave me a chance to put something back into the sport and also earn some pocket money to help me through university.

"I carried on, it took me three years to work my way up through the lower levels, I had three or four years in grade cricket and then, when I made my first-class debut in 1995, it was one of three turning points in the role for me.

"I had to decide whether I was going to be fair to the players and devote more time to the role and that was something I ended up doing.

"Because of that I got a contract from the Australian Cricket Board (now Cricket Australia) in 1998 and that was another point where I had to make a decision on the future.

"At that time I had another job as well as umpiring so I had to decide again whether to give the role the attention it deserved.

"I did and then, after the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2003, I was offered a place on the Emirates Elite Panel and that was the final stage for me."

Anyone wondering how Taufel has achieved so much so soon only has to look at some of the lengths he goes to in order to ensure he is ready to do the best job possible.

He works with a lifestyle coach to deal the pressures of being on the road and away from his family - he has a wife and three young children - for long periods, as well as a financial advisor to help manage that family's wellbeing.

On top of that there is assistance from a fitness trainer who plays a major role in coping with the demands of standing for long periods in extreme conditions, and a dietician, as well as umpiring mentors from state, national and international level.

Along with all the top officials Taufel constantly analyses the decisions he is making to see if he can improve and also maintains a spreadsheet of those decisions on his laptop for the same purpose.

As for a career highlight, a modest Taufel responded: "For me it is not really about this game or that game.

"I think I am just lucky to be involved and for that to have happened I have to thank the coaches, family and friends who have helped get me this far.

"The amount of time away and the sacrifices that involves are not easy, especially for my family.

"Because of that I only look at my umpiring one year at a time as priorities can change but with a supportive wife and friends I have been able to get through and make progress.

"Reaching this landmark is nice but I am not involved for the numbers; that is for someone else to count, although it is nice to receive recognition.

"My goal is always to administer the Laws and the playing conditions and to work with the participants to make sure the game is fair.

"It can be a very interesting job and it is certainly a challenge but if I can come off without being noticed having had a good match myself and, by doing that, contributing to a good match then that makes me feel very good."

Perhaps the biggest honor to have eluded Taufel has been the chance to stand in an ICC Cricket World Cup final. Is that the next goal on the horizon with the tournament less than two months away?

"I have to be realistic," he said. "My first goal is to get selected and for that to happen the Cricket World Cup started for me today.

"I have to be performing well in every match to give myself the chance to be there and then the next goal is to do well enough to be picked for a semi-final.

"I know that if Australia makes it through to the final again then I cannot umpire and if I end my career without standing in a Cricket World Cup final then so be it.

"All I can do is put everything I have into every game and then the rest will take care of itself."

Taufel receives a crystal plaque to mark his achievement and he overtakes Billy Bowden as the youngest umpire to stand in 100 ODIs. That was a mark 43 year-old Bowden held for only three days, following New Zealand's rain-ruined match with Sri Lanka in Hamilton on Tuesday.

The umpire with more appearances in ODIs is the now-retired David Shepherd who stood in 172 matches between 1983 and 2005, including three successive ICC Cricket World Cup finals.

Most ODIs appearances by umpires (correct to close of play on 12 January 2007): David Shepherd - 172 Rudi Koertzen - 158 Steve Bucknor - 151 Daryl Harper - 127 Darrell Hair - 124 David Orchard - 107 Steve Dunne - 100 Billy Bowden - 100 Simon Taufel - 100