Date:07/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/07/stories/2008050760761900.htm

Sport - Cricket

Venkatraghavan to pick 30 umpires for Elite Panel

Special Correspondent

Mumbai: Umpires whose performance has been assessed as poor or below average would not be posted for important matches of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s 2008-09 domestic tournaments.

In the last season the BCCI had recorded the senior tournament matches and appointed umpire coaches to assist the on-field umpires.

On the basis of the evaluation of the umpires in the 2007-08 season, the BCCI’s Director of Umpires, S. Venkatraghavan will name a fresh Elite Panel list of 30 umpires for the 2008-09 season.

The BCCI has also decided to monitor the capabilities of the umpire coaches who were on duty in the last season.

The BCCI has asked its member units to name at least two former first class players among four for the BCCI panel examination to be held in Mumbai in July. The former players should have played at least 15 first class matches and demonstrate keen interest to officiate the BCCI tournaments.

According to a press release signed by Mohinder Pandove, Jt. Secretary, BCCI, the performance of Elite Panel umpires would be monitored in the next season in order to enable the umpires’ committee to recommend good umpires to the ICC or other International Panels.