ICC’s announcement of Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleborough because the on-field umpires for the India vs Australia World Cup 2023 ultimate on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has began giving sleepless nights to the Indian followers. The names of the match officers have been revealed on Friday night time, two days earlier than the large ultimate on Sunday. This would be the second time Kettleborough will likely be within the center for the showpiece event. The 50-year-old beforehand stood alongside Kumar Dharmasena within the 2015 ultimate, which noticed Australia overcome New Zealand on the MCG.
India’s Ravindra Jadeja appears to be like at on-field umpires Richard Illingworth (excessive proper) and Marais Erasmus(REUTERS)
Kettleborough’s appointment nonetheless might not be superb news for India. This shouldn’t be the primary time he would officiate in an ICC event knockout match involving India. Since their final ICC title within the Champions Trophy in 2013, India have been concerned in eight knockout matches in varied ICC occasions and Kettelborough was part of the umpires panel in seven of these.
He was the on-field umpire in 5 knockout India matches – the 2014 T20 World Cup ultimate vs Sri Lanka, the 2015 World Cup semi-final vs Australia, the 2017 Champions Trophy ultimate vs Pakistan, and the 2019 World Cup semi-final vs New Zealand. He was the TV umpire within the two World Test Championships finals that India misplaced to New Zealand and Australia. The solely ICC knockout match of India, Kettleborough was not part of was the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final vs England. That, nonetheless, didn’t change India’s luck as they misplaced that match by 10 wickets.
Illingworth shouldn’t be far behind so far as India’s jinx is worried. He was the on-field umpire in three out of India’s final eight ICC knockout matches. The English pair of Illingworth and Kettleborough have been actually, the on-field umpires throughout India’s final World Cup semi-final towards New Zealand.
Why are Illingworth and Kettleborough so frequent in India matches?
ICC’s enjoying circumstances make it necessary to have impartial umpires in ICC occasions. Since India and England have met one another solely as soon as in an ICC knockout match within the final 12 years, Illingworth and Kettleborough – each Englishman and ICC elite panel officers – have been the most typical umpires throughout India matches.
Vastly skilled umpires
Illingworth and Kettleborough, who have been promoted to the ICC International List on the identical day in November 2009, each acted as on-field umpires throughout this week’s semi-finals. Illingworth oversaw India’s victory over New Zealand, with Kettleborough accountable for Australia’s thrilling win towards South Africa.
Both males are earlier winners of the David Shepherd Trophy, awarded to the ICC’s Umpire of the Year.
Kettleborough, who reached a century of ODIs as an umpire earlier within the event when Netherlands took on Sri Lanka, took dwelling the prize in three consecutive years between 2013 and 2015 and Illingworth added his identify to the illustrious checklist in 2019 and 2022.
Match officers for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 ultimate: India v Australia, Ahmedabad, 19 November
On Sunday, the pair will likely be joined by Joel Wilson as third umpire, fourth umpire Chris Gaffaney and match referee Andy Pycroft, all of whom have been a part of the officiating groups throughout the semi-finals.
On-field Umpires: Richard Illingworth & Richard Kettleborough
Third Umpire: Joel Wilson
Fourth Umpire: Chris Gaffaney
Match Referee: Andy Pycroft
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Source: www.hindustantimes.com
