NZC’s International, National and Reserve Umpire Panels will be unchanged for 2020/21, but greater opportunities could be in store this summer for umpires on the Reserve Panel to step up to First-Class level.

With the ICC outlining that, due to COVID-19, there won’t be a requirement for non-neutral umpires in home Tests this season, NZC’s International Panel umpires could well be standing in BLACKCAPS Test matches. 

“It’s great to be able to announce a settled umpiring group for the season ahead,” said NZC Head of Cricket Operations Charlie Brewer as the panels were confirmed today.  

“Our top umpires have been doing a superb job for several years now and it’s an exciting prospect for the International Panel to stand in home Tests. 

“We have full faith that the Reserve Panel can step up, if required, to fill the gap at First-Class level and know this will provide that group with valuable match experience.” 

Former international umpire and NZC Umpire Coach, Tony Hill, is a new addition to the NZC Match Referees pool for Domestic games this season — a group that includes CDCA Life Member and former Nelson and Central Stags captain Richard Hayward.

National Panel umpires primarily officiate in the Plunket Shield, Ford Trophy and Super Smash competitions, while the Reserve Panel primarily officiates in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, NZC National Tournaments and Hawke Cup Challenge matches.

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NZC MATCH OFFICIALS 2020/21 

ICC Elite Panel

Chris Gaffaney – Otago 

International Umpire Panel

Chris Brown – Auckland

Shaun Haig – Otago

Wayne Knights – Auckland 

NZC G.J. Gardner Homes National Panel

Billy Bowden – Auckland

John Bromley – Canterbury

John Dempsey – Northern Districts

Ash Mehrotra – Northern Districts

Tim Parlane – Canterbury

Derek Walker – Otago 

Chris Brown, Shaun Haig and Wayne Knights will also serve on the National Panel when available 

NZC G.J. Gardner Homes National Reserve Panel

Tim Shirriffs – Central Districts

Glen Walklin – Central Districts 

Cory Black – Wellington

Kim Cotton – Canterbury

Tyron Davies – Wellington

Lui Els – Northern Districts

Kannan Jagannathan – Otago

Damian Morrow – Northern Districts

Pete Pasco – Otago

Eugene Sanders – Canterbury

Allen Stanley – Auckland

Garth Stirrat – Wellington

NZC Match Referees

Richard Hayward

Gary Baxter

Ross Dykes

Kevin Pulley

Tony Hill

NZC Regional Scorer Managers

Duncan Mitchell – Central Districts

Annette Campbell – Auckland & Acting Northern Districts

Ian Smith – Wellington

Tony Feely – Canterbury

Malcolm Jones – Otago

Article added: Friday 31 July 2020