Cricket: NZ in the frame for elite referees

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Former New Zealand test players could be named on the new five-member referees panel to be appointed by the International Cricket Council.

ICC chief referee Ranjan Madugalle was in New Zealand this week to interview candidates for the panel, to operate from April 1.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden said each of the test-playing countries had been asked to put forward names of likely candidates but would not say who they were or how many.

"Deliberately, the ICC are not telling us a thing," said Snedden. "I just gave Madugalle the contacts. He works independently.

"My only brief from the ICC was that the people named by us should be former international players.

"I have no idea what they have in mind when it comes to making the appointments."

Snedden said he had no contact with Madugalle - a former Sri Lankan captain - while he was in Christchurch.

"I did not expect to hear from him. Really, it has nothing to do with us. It was not a nomination process," Snedden said.

John Reid, one of the New Zealanders on the current list, said he had had no contact with Madugalle.

"I have no idea at all about what they have in mind," said Reid who has been on the panel for nine years.

He leaves this morning for India to oversee its two tests and five one-day games against Zimbabwe.

"I'm keen to carry on," said Reid who has already been match referee for 48 tests and 93 one-day internationals.

"As long as I have the respect and confidence of the players, I feel I can do a job.

"I'm tough, I'm fair and I'm consistent."

Reid said he had spoken to six other referees on the present ICC panel during the under-19 World Cup. None have had any indication of what might happen when the new panel is drawn up.

As the chief referee, Madugalle will be on the new panel.

Reid and former test batsmen Brian Hastings and Graham Dowling are the New Zealanders on the present list of 19 referees. Former wicketkeeper Barry Jarman is the only Australian on that list.

The ICC is also drawing up its list of eight umpires for the elite panel. Snedden said the ICC was still a few weeks away from making that panel public.

"The ICC has sent a questionnaire to all current test captains for their views before making the appointments," Snedden said.

There will also be an "international list" of 20 back-up umpires.

At present, there are 19 names on the umpire's panel, including New Zealanders Doug Cowie and Steve Dunne.