“I am excited and honoured to have been selected for one of the most important jobs in cricket”
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Former West Indies captain Richie Richardson will replace Roshan Mahanama on the the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) elite panel of match referees.
However, Richardson will not take up the position until his tenure as West Indies team manager comes to an end after the national team’s tour of Australia, which concludes on January 7.
“I am excited and honoured to have been selected for one of the most important jobs in cricket,” Richardson, who will be the sixth West Indian match referee in history, said. “Having been on either side of the fence, first as a player and then as an administrator, I think I have the experience and insight to help me contribute positively alongside some of the finest and most experienced match officials.
“Until the end of the Australia tour, I will remain fully committed and focused on my current assignment as the West Indies cricket team manager and I would like to thank the West Indies Cricket Board for its support over years as well as the encouragement it provided to me in taking up this new role.”
Geoff Allardice, the ICC’s general manager of cricket, was delighted to welcome Richardson aboard the elite panel of match referees, which currently consists of Ranjan Madugalle, Chris Broad, David Boon, Andy Pycroft, Javagal Srinath and Jeff Crowe.
“Richie is one of the greats of the game, who is admired for not only his accomplishments as a batsman but also the way he captained the West Indies when he embodied traits such as integrity, leadership and sportsmanship in his dealings both on and off the field,” Allardice said. “He is very familiar with the demands of international cricket through his experiences as a player, captain and now team manager, and he will bring a fresh perspective to the role. On behalf of the ICC, I congratulate Richie on his appointment and look forward to working with him. We have no doubt that he will make a strong and important contribution to ensuring the game continues to be played in the right spirit.”