Sundaram Ravi will be the only Indian umpire officiating during the league stage of the forthcoming World Cup after ICC announced a list of 22 match officials for the showpiece ODI event.
Ravi, also the only Indian in the Elite Panel of umpires, is among the 16 umpires finalised for the 48-game tournament due to be played in England and Wales from May 30 onwards. Besides which, six well-known match referees have also been named.
The ICC has also confirmed that this World Cup will be the last international commitment of famous umpire Ian Gould. The former England wicketkeeper Gould has officiated as an umpire in 74 Tests, 135 ODIs and 37 T20Is thus far.
"Ian has made an outstanding contribution to the game over a long period, particularly in the last decade as an international umpire for the ICC," said ICC General Manager of Cricket, Geoff Allardice.
"He has always put the interests of the game first, and in doing so has earned enormous respect from his colleagues and players across all countries. His presence on the field will be missed, but I am sure his lifelong association with the game will continue."
The opening match of the World Cup between hosts England and South Africa at The Oval will have three previous winners of the competition officiating. David Boon - part of Allan Border's team that won in India and Pakistan at the 1987 edition - will be match referee for this encounter, whereas Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup winner Kumar Dharmasena will be the on-field umpire. Paul Reiffel, another Australian World Cup winner from 1999, will be the television umpire.
Match Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Andy Pycroft, Jeff Crowe, Ranjan Madugalle, Richie Richardson
Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumar Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ravi Sundaram, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Joel Wilson, Michael Gough, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Paul Wilson
"It is a tough job with the eyes of the cricketing world on every decision, but this group of 22 is the very best from around the world who will rise to the occasion. I wish them all the very best," said Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager umpires and referees.
(Inputs from PTI)
