World Cup 2019: Umpire Ian Gould to retire after the tournament

In cricket, we often stress too much on players and their records. We also celebrate their careers when they decide to hang up their boots and bid adieu to the game. What about umpires? They are often the most underrated parts of a cricket game. They do a thankless job and yet, there’s hardly any recognition. The umpires’ careers are hardly celebrated.

Ian Gould is all set to hang up his umpiring boots after the 2019 World Cup. He has served as an umpire in international cricket since 2006. After having officiated in 246 international matches, he has decided to bid adieu to the game. He was one of the top umpires in this decade and has often been seen in games across the world. The former England wicket-keeper has a happy go lucky character and is a fun character on the field.

Geoff Allardice, who is ICC’s General Manager of Cricket was all praise for Gould who played as England’s designated wicket-keeper in the 1983 World Cup. This will be Gould’s fourth World Cup as an umpire, “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,” ICC’s General Manager was quoted saying.

ICC announces a list of 22 match officials for the World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has named a panel of 16 umpires and 6 match referees for the upcoming World Cup which starts on the 30th of May. The hosts England take on South Africa in the opening game of the showpiece event. ICC Umpire of the Year 2018 Kumar Dharmasena and Bruce Oxenford have been named the umpires for that game. Meanwhile, Paul Reiffel and Joel Wilson will be the third and fourth umpires respectively. David Boon will be the match referee.

The other umpires part of the World Cup are Aleem Dar, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Sundaram Ravi, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Ruchira Palliyaguruge and Paul Wilson. Meanwhile, the five other match referees are Chris Broad, Andy Pycroft, Jeff Crowe, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.

ICC Match Officials’ Senior Manager Adrian Griffith said that they have picked the best. Besides, he wished the chosen ones luck too. “Officiating at the World Cup as with playing, is an honor and the pinnacle of an official’s career. 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,” Adrian Griffith said.

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