Cricket umpires might do more than judge dismissals, count deliveries and assess wides and no-balls this summer.
New Zealand Cricket's new national selection manager Bruce Edgar intends to canvass their views as the closest neutral observers to the domestic game.
"Obviously we'd go to major association coaches, but umpires are at each game observing batsmen and bowlers close at hand. For example, I want to know how a spin bowler reacts when he comes back for a second spell after getting hit in the first. They're likely to have a feel for what's happening on the mental side; feedback you might not get from afar. Someone on the ground might say 'yeah, it was jagging around a lot, the guy left (the ball) well, then went on the offensive."
Edgar is looking to spread his resources as wide as possible. Match referees are likely to be employed this summer, in addition to two talent-spotters. Those roles have been advertised; Martin Crowe and Glenn Turner did the jobs last year.
It's expected the talent spotters will recommend names to Edgar and coach Mike Hesson, with Hesson retaining the power of veto.
