Cricket
Match Officials
Elite Panel of ICC Umpires
Adrian Holdstock
DOB: Apr 27, 1970 Born: Cape Town, South Africa
A first-class player who figured in 16 first-class and seven List A matches for Western Province and Boland as a fast-bowling all-rounder before deciding to use his experience in umpiring, Adrian Holdstock has been on the international circuit since 2011.
Inducted into the ICC International Panel of Umpires in 2011, Holdstock’s first international match was a T20I between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town the same year.
Holdstock had officiated in all three formats in international cricket when he was inducted into the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in 2023, 16 years after he first stood in a first-class match back home in South Africa.
Holdstock was part of the teams that officiated in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022.
Ahsan Raza
DOB: May 29, 1972 Born: Lahore, Pakistan
Ahsan Raza was a wicketkeeper who played 21 First Class and four List A matches for different teams in Pakistan before taking up umpiring as a profession.
He was inducted into the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires in 2010, making his international debut in an ODI between Afghanistan and Canada in Sharjah the same year. He started officiating in T20Is in 2010 but had to wait till 2021 to get his first Test.
A familiar face on the international circuit and having stood in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022, he was inducted into the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in 2023 with a record 71 Men’s T20I matches already under his belt.
Ahsan was the third umpire from Pakistan to be inducted into the Elite panel even as compatriot Aleem Dar opted out after almost two decades.
Joel Wilson
DOB: Dec 30, 1966 Born: Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago
Joel Wilson has been on the international circuit since 2011, first standing in an ODI between the West Indies and India in June that year.
By 2015, he was officiating in Tests and his high-profile appointments include the Ashes series of 2019 and England’s tour of South Africa in early 2000.
Wilson was inducted into the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires in 2011-12 and into the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in 2019-20.
He has officiated in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups of 2015 (Australia/New Zealand) and 2019 (United Kingdom) as well as the Men’s T20 World Cup 2016 in India.
Michael Gough
DOB: Dec 18, 1979 Born: Durham, United Kingdom
A promising opening batsman who once led the England Under-19 side, Michael Gough was a consistent performer for Durham and played for England ‘A’, turning out in 67 first-class and 49 List A matches.
However, he decided not to pursue a career as a player, opting for umpiring early in life. At 27, he was in the ECB’s reserve list and by 30 in the full list of first-class umpires.
His international career started in 2013 when he officiated in a T20I between England and Australia at Chester-le-Street and had stood in a Test by 2016.
Gough was inducted into the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires in 2013-14 and into the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in 2019-20.
He has officiated in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups of 2015 (Australia/New Zealand) and 2019 (United Kingdom) as well as the Men’s T20 World Cup 2016 in India.