UMPS_NAMED_08SEP94

The International Cricket Council today announced the appointments of National Grid International Panel umpires and ICC referees through to early January 1995. ICC Chief Executive David Richards said: "Over the next 7 months there are 30 Tests and 84 One Day Internationals scheduled. "The most experienced umpire on the National Grid International Panel, Dickie Bird, reaches the milestone of 60 Tests in the first Test between Pakistan and Australia starting in Karachi on September 28. He will also be officiating in the first two Tests of the West Indies tour of India in November. "Appointing an umpire for two consecutive Tests will be the exception, so this means that most members of the Panel will travel to an overseas venue at least once during this very busy period." The four nominees from England on the Panel will be finalised in late October after the normal end of season review of umpires' per formances by the TCCB.

Cyril Mitchley, recently nominated to the National Grid International Panel will be officiating as the "visiting" umpire in the first "Ashes" Test match in Brisbane - November 25 to November 29. Born in Johannesburg, the 54 year-old Mitchley commenced umpiring in 1981/82 and has officiated in 55 first-class matches, 3 Tests and 24 One Day Internationals. He played cricket for Southern Suburbs CC and Transvaal and is a former professional footballer.

Details of appointments through January follow.

ICC Referees:

Former New Zealand captain John Reid leaves shortly for Pakistan to oversee the Australian tour there. He will then be the ICC referee for the full England tour of Australia, the first time that one person has officiated through the long Australian season. Raman Subba Row will be responsbile for the 64 day West Indies tour of India including the triangular one day series where New Zealand is the third team. Peter Van der Merwe goes to Zimbabwe when they host Sri Lanka for 3 Tests and 3 One Day Internationals in October, while Peter Burge's next destination is South Africa in November to referee their season of 4 Tests and 15 One Day Internationals.

Mr Richards also said: "ICC is moving to appoint a small group of Referees more often as a further step in achieving greater consistency in this important role. "The National Grid sponsorship makes a major contribution to the costs of the Referee system." Appointments for the New Zealand season, Zimbabwe v Pakistan and Australia's tour of the West Indies will be announced in early December.

NATIONAL GRID INTERNAIONAL PANEL

APPOINTMENTS TO 6 JANUARY 1995

DATE TEST UMPIRE

28 Sept - 2 Oct Pak v Aus H. "Dickie" Bird (Eng)

5 Oct - 9 Oct Pak v Aus Karl Liebenberg (SA)

1 Nov - 5 Nov Pak v Aus Cyril Mitchley (SA)

11 Oct - 16 Oct Zim v SL Lloyd Barker (WI)

18 Oct - 23 Oct Zim v SL Brian Aldridge (NZ)

26 Oct - 31 Oct Zim v SL Mahboob Shah (Pak)

18 Nov - 22 Nov Ind v WI H "Dickie" Bird (Eng)

1 Dec - 5 Dec Ind v WI H "Dickie" Bird (Eng)

10 Dec - 14 Dec Ind v WI Steve Dunne (NZ)

25 Nov - 29 Nov Aus v Eng Cyril Mitchley (SA)

24 Dec - 29 Dec Aus v Eng Steve Bucknor (WI)

1 Jan - 5 Jan Aus v Eng Steve Bucknor (WI)

25 Nov - 29 Nov SAf v NZ Ian Robinson (Zim)

26 Dec - 30 Dec SAf v NZ Khizar Hayat (Pak)

2 Jan - 6 Jan SAf v NZ "KT" Francis (SL)

DATE SERIES REFEREE

28 Sept - 5 Nov Pak v Aus John Reid

11 Oct - 6 Nov Zim v SL Peter Van der Merwe

12 Oct - 14 Dec Ind v WI Raman Subba Row

25 Nov - 7 Feb Aus v Eng John Reid

25 Nov - 23 Jan SAf v NZ Peter Burge

Thanks :: The Daily Telegraph