Introduction
Cricket is a sport that is widely popular all over the world. It is a game that is followed by millions of people and there are some cricket umpires who have become famous in their own right. In this blog post, we will take a look at the top 10 cricket umpires in the world right now. These are the men who arbitrate the game and who make sure that everything runs smoothly. They are also the ones who have to make tough decisions when things get heated on the field. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 10 cricket umpires in the world right now.
Steve Bucknor (West Indies)
Steve Bucknor is a retired West Indian cricket umpire. He officiated in Test matches from 1989 to 2006, and was one of the most experienced and respected umpires in the game.
Bucknor was known for his calm demeanour and excellent judgement, and was widely respected by players and commentators alike. He was also known for his consistent application of the laws of cricket, and was never afraid to make tough decisions.
Bucknor officiated in some of the most memorable Test matches ever played, including the 2005 Ashes series, which saw England regain the urn after 18 years. He also oversaw several controversial moments in Test cricket, such as the 2003 controversy surrounding Zimbabwean batsman Mark Vermeulen’s use of an illegal bat.
Bucknor retired from international umpiring in 2006 after 17 years on the elite panel. He continued to umpire domestic matches in the West Indies until 2009, when he finally retired from all forms of cricket.
Bucknor remains one of the most respected umpires in world cricket, and his contribution to the game will be remembered for many years to come.
Simon Taufel (Australia)
Simon Taufel is a former Australian cricket umpire. He is widely regarded as one of the best umpires in the world, and was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2006.
Taufel began his career as an umpire in 1995, and officiated his first Test match in 2000. He went on to umpire 74 Test matches, including five Ashes series. He also umpired 184 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 24 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
Taufel was awarded the ICC Umpire of the Year award five times between 2004 and 2008, and was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2009. He retired from international cricket in 2012, but continues to serve as a mentor and coach for up-and-coming umpires.
Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka)
Kumar Dharmasena is a Sri Lankan cricket umpire. He made his Test debut in 2000 and his One Day International (ODI) debut in 1999. He has umpired in 38 Tests, 129 ODIs and 20 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
Dharmasena has been on the ICC Elite Umpires Panel since 2006. He was the first Sri Lankan to be appointed to the panel. In 2012, he was named as one of the five best umpires in the world by the ICC. In 2019, he was named as one of the ten best umpires in the world by the ICC.
Dharmasena has officiated in several high-profile matches, including the final of the 2007 Cricket World Cup and the final of the 2011 Cricket World Cup. He has also officiated in two IPL finals and three Champions League Twenty20 finals.
Aleem Dar (Pakistan)
Aleem Dar is a Pakistani cricket umpire and former cricketer. He officiated in his first Test match in 2000 and has gone on to set the record for the most Test matches umpired, with 139. Dar has also umpired in 164 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 31 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
In October 2019, the ICC appointed Dar as one of the three finalists for the David Shepherd Trophy for Umpire of the Year, an award he had previously won on three occasions. In November 2019, Aleem Dar was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.
Aleem Dar’s career as an umpire has been largely without controversy. He is known for his calm demeanour and good humour, even when dealing with difficult situations on the field. This has earned him respect from players and commentators alike.
Dar’s biggest contribution to cricket may well be his work as an ICC Elite Panel umpire. He has helped to set a new standard for umpiring, and his consistency and dedication to his craft are an example to all who aspire to be top-level umpires.
Michael Gough (England)
Michael Gough is one of the top cricket umpires in the world right now. He has been umpiring for over 20 years and has officiated in many high-profile matches. He is known for his calm and composed demeanour, as well as his excellent decision-making skills.
Gough began his umpiring career in England’s County Championship, and quickly rose through the ranks. He made his Test debut in 2003, and has since gone on to umpire in over 50 Test matches. He has also officiated in numerous One Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals.
In recent years, Gough has become one of the most sought-after umpires in world cricket. He has umpired in several Ashes series, as well as the 2019 Cricket World Cup. He is widely respected by players and commentators alike, and is considered to be one of the best umpires currently operating.
Nigel Llong (England)
Nigel Llong is one of the most respected umpires in world cricket right now. A former first-class cricketer, Llong has officiated in over 200 Test matches and 150 ODIs. He was also on the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires from 2006 to 2018.
Llong is known for his calm and composed nature, as well as his excellent decision-making skills. He has been praised by many players and commentators for his fairness and consistency. In recent years, he has become one of the most sought-after umpires in the world, and is currently considered to be one of the best in the business.
Srinivas Venkataraghavan (India)
Srinivas Venkataraghavan is a former Indian cricketer and current cricket umpire. He played Test cricket for India between 1965 and 1983, and was part of the team that won the 1983 Cricket World Cup. He has also served as an ICC match referee.
Venkataraghavan began his career as a right-arm off-spin bowler, but later switched to bowling left-arm spin. He was particularly known for his accuracy and control, and was nicknamed ‘Venkat’. He played a total of 57 Test matches for India, taking 156 wickets at an average of 32.37. He also scored 1,scl9 runs at an average of 19.85, including one half-century.
After retiring from playing cricket, Venkataraghavan became an umpire. He has officiated in 24 Test matches and 31 One Day Internationals. He was the first Indian umpire to be appointed to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in 2002.
Ian Gould
Ian Gould is a top cricket umpire from England. He has officiated in many high-profile matches, including the Ashes series. Gould is known for his calm and level-headed demeanor on the field.
Billy Bowden
Billy Bowden is one of the most experienced cricket umpires in the world right now. He has officiated in over 200 Test matches and 300 ODIs, including 5 World Cups. He is known for his unique style of umpiring, which often includes raising his arms above his head to indicate a wide or no-ball. He has also been involved in several controversial decisions throughout his career, but he remains a respected umpire nonetheless.
Dickie Bird
Dickie Bird is one of the most respected cricket umpires in the world. He has officiated in over 100 Test matches and 200 One Day Internationals. He is known for his unique style of umpiring and his ability to maintain calm in any situation.
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