Cricket World Cup 2011 officials announced by ICC

World Cup 2011 officials announced by ICC

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the 2011 Cricket World Cup officials which are scheduled to begin from February 19^th.

Marais Erasmus was confirmed late Sunday as to be officiating the 2011 World Cup in the sub-continent with Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh co-hosting the much awaited cricket tournament.

The South African umpire would be leading the 18 official umpires’ team. He will be joined by six other emerging match officials and eleven other members of the Emirates Elite Panel of International Cricket Council umpires, the ICC released a statement.

Erasmus, the self-confessed cricket fanatic became the first overseas umpire to officiate in Indian domestic cricket in 2009. The former first-class cricket player has stood for sixteen One Days since debuting in 2007.

Erasmus will be joined by Pakistani umpire and the 2010 ICC Umpire of the Year, Aleem Dar.

Dar, who won the award for the second time in successive years, has stood in numerous high profile matches including the ongoing Ashes Test in Australia. Dar has officiated 127 One Day Internationals since debuting in 2000.

Erasmus and Dar will be joined by other member of the Elite Panel of ICC umpires including Billy Bowden (the dramatic New Zealand international cricket umpire), Billy Doctrove (the controversial West Indian umpire), Steve Davis (Australia), Ian Gould (England), Asad Rauf (Pakistan), Asoka de Silva (former Sri Lankan cricketer), Simon Taufel (Australia) and Daryl Harper (Australia).

Amiesh Saheba and Shavir Tarapore from India have also been named in the 18 member umpire team. Alongwith Saheba and Tarapore, Bruce Oxenford (Australia), Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka), Richard Kettleborough (England), and Nigel Llong (England) head the emerging match officials. ICC identified them as the “talented group” of umpires who have officiated at the international level as well as have more experience with the sub-continent conditions.

Saheba has officiated 44 One Days with Tarapore officiating 16 One Day Internationals.

Enamul Hoque-Moni, the former Bangladesh first class cricketer, has been announced as the reserve umpire for the tournament. The international panel member would be officiating during the warm-up phase before the kick-off of the first game in the sub-continent. He will be available during the event, if needed, the ICC statement read.

Chris Broad, Roshan Mahanama, Andy Pycroft, and Jeff Crowe will be the match referees along with Ranjan Mudugalle who all belong to the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees.