Umpire Venkataraghavan to retire from Emirate Elite umpiring panel
One of the most decorated umpires in the game, Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan (Venkat) is to retire from the Emirates Elite Umpiring Panel
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His final game with the Panel will be the Second Test between Australia and Sri Lanka in Kandy starting on 16 March 2004.
The decision is bringing to an end this stage of an international umpiring career stretching back over twenty years.
The former India captain made his debut as an international umpire in the 1992/93 England v India series in India and will retire after standing in 75 Tests and 52 One Day International matches.
ICC Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed, said that Venkat is recognised as one of the outstanding umpires to have stood in international cricket.
"Venkat came to umpiring after a terrific career as a player, administrator and media commentator," said Mr Speed.
"He has stood the test of time in an exceptionally demanding profession. He has seen international cricket and international cricket umpiring undergo extraordinary change and has stood up to the scrutiny that now comes with being involved in the game at the elite level.
"His integrity and passion for cricket are of the highest order and he has helped ensure that the spirit of the game remains intact for those that will follow. As he moves into the next stage of his career he will be able to reflect on his time as an international umpire with great pride and know that he is respected around the world for his contribution to the game.
"On behalf of the international cricket community I would like to thank him for the contribution he has made to cricket."
Under the two-tiered panel system used to appoint international umpires, Venkat may be able to move back to the secondary Emirates International Panel of Umpires if the Indian Board nominated him as one of the two umpires it provides to this group. If he was selected he could be appointed by his home Board to future ODI matches. He is yet to confirm if he wishes to make himself available for this Panel.
Prior to becoming an international umpire, Venkat enjoyed an outstanding career as an Indian player and captain. He played in 57 Tests and 15 ODI matches for his country in a career stretching from his debut as a 19 year old against New Zealand in 1964/65 to his final Test at the age of 38 in 1983/84 against Pakistan.
In his career to date, Venkat has also taken on the roles of Indian Team Manager, Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, Indian national selector, newspaper and magazine columnist and expert TV commentator as well as acting as an International Match Referee in both Test and ODI matches.
Playing Career Statistics:
TESTS (career) M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St Batting & Fielding 57 76 12 748 64 11.68 0 2 44 0Balls M R W Ave BBI 5 10 SR Econ Bowling 14877 696 5634 156 36.11 8-72 3 1 95.3 2.27
ONE-DAY INTERNATIONALS (career) M I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct St Batting & Fielding 15 9 4 54 26* 10.80 42.85 0 0 4 0
Balls M R W Ave BBI 4w 5w SR Econ Bowling 868 7 542 5 108.40 2-34 0 0 173.6 3.74
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