SA Umpires make it big

South Africans can be very proud of Rudi Koertzen and Dave Orchard. These two outstanding umpires have been chosen, after much scrutiny, on the ICC’s Elite Umpires Panel that was finally announced during the 2nd test in Cape Town. Thankfully the original date chosen to reward these individuals, April fool’s day, was scrapped!

Each of the eight chosen men in white will officiate in approximately 12 tests and 15 ODI’s per annum. Believe me, that is a big ask when you consider all the travel days as well and I must confess I do not think the panel is big enough. My guess is that after a bit of trial and error, a number of around 10 umpires will be settled on.

During the next fortnight, top-level ICC meetings will be convened in Cape Town with various topics high on the agenda. Not surprisingly a far-reaching proposal aimed at extending the use of technology to assist decision-making will be tabled. This makes so much sense to me. This paper, that will promote discussion and debate, centers on the idea that the field umpires will be permitted to consult with the action replay assisted TV or third umpire about any aspect of the decision they were unsure of. This does leave the door open to referrals at every opportunity and therefore endless mini pauses in play, but now with the caliber of officials standing in the middle they hopefully will still be confident and strong enough to make the spontaneous call.

I believe a more acceptable scenario all around would be for the third umpire to intervene should he not be convinced about the decision taken in the middle.

The ICC’s CEO Malcolm Speed has gone on record saying that his organization intention is to make the job easier for the umpires.

At the moment they are exposed – this implementation will go a long way to simplifying their job.

Should this proposal be adopted it will be on show for the first time during the ICC Champions Trophy in September 2002.

In the meantime, good on ya Orchy and Rudi.