Cricket
Match Officials
Match officials
The Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires comprises the top umpires in the world and was first introduced in April 2002. To ensure the highest possible standards and guarantee impartial adjudication, three umpires from the Emirates Elite Panel officiate in almost all Men’s Test matches around the world, while two members officiate with a home umpire from the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires for Men’s One-Day International matches.
On average, each member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel annually works in 8 Test matches and 10-15 ODIs, plus any ICC World events in that year - a potential on-field workload of about 70 days plus preparation time and travel. The composition of the Panel is reviewed every year and announced by 1 May. These selected officials are contracted to work for the ICC on a full-time basis.
The ICC now appoints one neutral umpire to matches in an ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) series, as well as a neutral umpire in any T20I series matches that are connected with an IWC series. To this point, all neutral umpires assigned have been women, and importantly these umpires are receiving equal match-day fees as their colleagues on the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.
The ICC supports the ongoing development of all international umpires via a clear high performance officiating program, through the appointment of ICC Umpire Coaches, by working with the Full Member Board officiating managers and coaches to align practices, by employing two full-time data / digital video specialists to help review decisions, and by conducting regular performance reviews either online or in Dubai as the officials pass through on assignment.