- Kumar Dharmasena and Nitin Menon officiate the opening match between England and New Zealand in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
- Six out of 16 umpires are making their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup debut.
- Nitin Menon, aged 39, is the youngest umpire in the tournament.
- Experienced match referees include Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Richie Richardson, and Javagal Srinath.
The stage is set for the opening match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the umpire appointments for the clash between England and New Zealand, which is a repeat of the 2019 final.
Kumar Dharmasena and Nitin Menon will take charge on the field, with TV umpire Paul Wilson, fourth umpire Shahid Saikat, and match referee Javagal Srinath overseeing the proceedings. This announcement comes as part of a team of 20 officials unveiled by the ICC, including 16 umpires and four match referees.
Notably, twelve of these umpires are from the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, showcasing the standard of officiating talent in the cricketing world.
The tournament commences on October 5, 2023, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
New Faces in the Umpiring Panel
Among the 16 umpires appointed for the tournament, six are making their debut in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Shahid and Alex Wharf return to the global stage after missing out on officiating in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 held in Australia.
Marais Erasmus and Richard Kettleborough, who officiated in the finals of the 2019 and 2015 World Cups, respectively, make their return to the tournament, bringing with them a wealth of experience.
Youthful Inclusion
Nitin Menon, at the age of 39, is the youngest umpire in the tournament and will be looking to make his mark on the world stage. He is joined by Shahid, Ahsan Raza, Adrian Holdstock, Alex Wharf, and Chris Brown, all making their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup debut. Their inclusion reflects a commitment to nurturing young and promising officiating talent in the game.
Experienced Match Referees
The four-match referees for the tournament are former international players – Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Richie Richardson, and Javagal Srinath. With their extensive knowledge of the sport, they will ensure fair play and adherence to the rules throughout the tournament.
As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the commencement of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 on October 5, 2023, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, these umpire appointments and the presence of returning officials underscore the meticulous preparations and commitment to maintaining the highest standards of umpiring and refereeing in this prestigious event.
