Michael Gough (extreme right) was on the ICC list of umpires for the 2019 World Cup
Umpires Michael Gough and Joel Wilson have been promoted to the ICC’s Elite Panel for umpires for 2019-20. Gough and Wilson, who officiated in the recent World Cup, have replaced S Ravi and Ian Gould on the Elite Panel.
While Gould retired from umpiring during the World Cup, Ravi, who was inducted in the panel in 2015, has been omitted. The ICC’s elite panel of match referees is unchanged.
The pair were promoted from the ICC’s International Panel of Umpires by a selection committee that comprised Geoff Allardice, ICC general manager (cricket), commentator and former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar and ICC match referees Ranjan Madugalle and David Boon.
The ICC would not give a specific reason behind Ravi’s omission, but its spokesperson said the assessment of umpires is a continuous process and the new Elite Panel is the result of that.
Gough, a former Durham and England A batsman, made his international debut as an umpire in a T20I in August 2013, and officiated in a Test for the first time in July 2016. He has so far stood in nine Tests, 59 ODIs and 14 T20Is.
Wilson began his international career as an umpire during India’s tour of West Indies in June 2011 and has since then umpired in 13 Test matches, 63 ODIs, 26 T20Is.
“Being an elite official is an extremely challenging job,” Adrian Griffith, the ICC senior manager of umpires and referees, said. “Every decision is scrutinised by millions of fans and each match official is subject to rigorous ongoing performance assessments throughout the year.
“We are fortunate to have some fantastic officials who are able to withstand the pressures of the job and deliver consistently on the international stage. Michael and Joel are deserving additions to the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and I wish them all the best for the coming season and for the future.”
ICC Elite Panel of Match referees: David Boon, Chris Broad, Jeff Crowe, Ranjan Madugalle, Andy Pycroft, Richie Richardson and Javagal Srinath
ICC Elite Panel of Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumar Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough and Joel Wilson
Source: ESPN Crickinfo