Recommendations for the restructuring of the ICC international panels of umpires and referees will be the major point of discussion at the forthcoming ICC Executive Board meeting in London.

The recommendation to be considered by the Board proposes an elite panel of eight full time contracted umpires, who would be appointed to stand in the majority of Tests. Selection for this group would be purely on merit, reflecting the seniority and status of individuals based on, among other things, marks awarded by Test captains.

The most favoured proposal is for two independent umpires to stand in Test matches and one in One Day Internationals, partnered by one home umpire from the International Panel.

Another group of 20 umpires - two from each Full Member- would form an International Panel. They would be contracted to their Boards and gain development experience through appointments in other country's domestic cricket.

A comprehensive accreditation process would accompany these changes involving extensive training, physical screening (including regular sight and hearing checks) and international exchange programmes. The aim is to offer the best and the most promising umpires a viable and professional career path in the international game.

An ICC Umpires Manager will be appointed to provide professional management of the umpire panels, in partnership with individual board umpires managers.

Referees Panel

A similar approach will be recommended for a panel of up to five full time ICC match referees. A supplementary panel of ten part time referees- one from each Full Member- would cover other ICC approved international tournaments. Formal criteria will be introduced to encourage the recruitment of a new generation of referees to the panels.

A target date of April 2002 has been proposed for the introduction of both new systems.

Other Matters

The Board meeting will also cover:

• issues around the safety of players and umpires
• 2003 World Cup update
• country nomination for the 2003 ICC Presidency
• starting date for the incoming ICC Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed
• appointment of a High Performance Manager within the Development department
• progress report on Kenya's application for Test match status
• consideration of Associate and Affiliate membership applications

Media note: a briefing on the cricketing decisions reached at the Executive Board meeting will be held with ICC President Malcolm Gray and Chief Executive David Richards at 4.30 pm in the Banqueting Suite at Lord's on Tuesday 19th June.

Please note that this briefing will not comment on any aspect of the corruption issue, which will be covered at the previous day's conference (Monday 18th June) in the same venue at 12.30pm.

Media contacts:
Mark Harrison or Jonathan Hemus/ Ian Barber
ICC Communications Manager / Countrywide Porter Novelli
Tel: + 44 20 7266 7913/1818 / Tel: + 44 1295 224478/224563
mark.harrison@icc.cricket.org or jonathan.hemus@cpn.co.uk

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