What is the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires?
The Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires (EEPU) is the highest level of umpires in international cricket. It is currently composed of 12 umpires from 11 different countries. The umpires on the Elite Panel are responsible for officiating in all Test matches, One Day Internationals, and Twenty20 Internationals. They are also selected to officiate in major ICC tournaments, such as the Cricket World Cup and the T20 World Cup.
The EEPU is sponsored by Emirates Airline. The umpires are required to wear shirts and coats with the Emirates logo on them whenever they are officiating.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the EEPU, umpires must:
- Be at least 35 years old
- Have at least five years of experience umpiring at the first-class level
- Have passed the ICC Umpire Examination
- Be physically fit and able to run between the wickets
Selection process
The umpires on the EEPU are selected by the ICC Umpire Selection Panel, which is headed by the ICC General Manager of Cricket. The selection panel considers a number of factors when selecting umpires for the Elite Panel, including their on-field performance, their fitness, and their ability to communicate with players and coaches.
Responsibilities
The umpires on the EEPU are responsible for officiating in all Test matches, One Day Internationals, and Twenty20 Internationals. They are also selected to officiate in major ICC tournaments, such as the Cricket World Cup and the T20 World Cup.
The umpires on the EEPU play a vital role in ensuring that the game of cricket is played fairly and that the laws of the game are upheld. They are responsible for making decisions on a variety of issues, including:
- Whether a bowler has overstepped the bowling crease
- Whether a batsman is out lbw (leg before wicket)
- Whether a ball has bounced before reaching the batsman
- Whether a batsman has hit the ball for a boundary or a six
The umpires on the EEPU also have the power to call for a replay if they are unsure about a decision.
Salary and perks
The umpires on the EEPU are paid a salary by the ICC. The salary varies depending on the umpire’s experience and the country they represent. However, it is estimated that the top umpires on the EEPU earn over $100,000 per year.
In addition to their salary, the umpires on the EEPU also receive a number of other perks, including:
- Free travel and accommodation to all matches they are officiating in
- Access to the ICC’s umpire development programs
- The opportunity to umpire in the biggest and best cricket matches in the world
Retirement
The umpires on the EEPU are required to retire at the age of 65. However, they may retire earlier if they wish.
Conclusion
The Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires is a highly respected group of umpires who are responsible for officiating in the highest level of international cricket. They play a vital role in ensuring that the game is played fairly and that the laws of the game are upheld.
Notable Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires
Some of the most notable umpires who have served on the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires include:
- Steve Bucknor (West Indies)
- David Shepherd (England)
- Rudi Koertzen (South Africa)
- Billy Bowden (New Zealand)
- Aleem Dar (Pakistan)
- Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka)
- Marais Erasmus (South Africa)
- Richard Illingworth (England)
- Richard Kettleborough (England)
- Michael Gough (England)
- Nitin Menon (India)
- Joel Wilson (West Indies)
These umpires have all officiated in some of the biggest and most important cricket matches in the world, and they have all played a significant role in the development of the game.
The future of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires
The Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires is constantly evolving, as new umpires emerge and more experienced umpires retire. The ICC is committed to developing the next generation of umpires, and it has a number of programs in place to help umpires reach their full potential.
The ICC is also working to improve the technology that is available to umpires. For example, the ICC has introduced the Decision Review System (DRS), which allows umpires to review their decisions on a limited number of occasions. This technology has helped to improve the accuracy of umpiring decisions, and it has also made the game more fair and transparent.