Date:24/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/24/stories/2008102456322000.htm

Sport - Cricket

Vizag umpires in BCCI panel

VISAKHAPATNAM: Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association’s M. Ramesh Kumar and Ch. Ravikanth Reddy have been selected to the BCCI panel of umpires in the examinations conducted by the BCCI.

Of the 12 umpires who appeared for the Ranji panel examination from South Zone, only Mr. Reddy (27) and Mr. Ramesh Kumar (39) came out successful. Both are also on the BCCI panel of scorers.

The first umpire to qualify for the Ranji panel from VDCA was Mr. Parthasaradhi in 1979.

The last time an umpire from Andhra Cricket Association qualified for the top panel was S. Ramakrishna of Vijayawada, in 1997. Prof. Srinivasan, a professor of S.V. University, Tirupati and B.V.S.L.N. Sastry from Rajahmundry were also on the Ranji panel from ACA. G.A. Pratap Kumar and P. Bhanu Prakash are still on the BCCI panel. Pratap Kumar has also been on the ICC panel.