Behind the scenes with Ranjan Madugalle

ICC Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle describes the role of the ICC Match Referee during a Test Match in leading the game’s ‘third team’ of match officials.

The role of the ICC Match Referee is an interesting and challenging one with a brief of leading the Playing Control team, being the ICC representative on site at a Test Match and ensuring the match is played according to the Laws and the Spirit of the Game.

Even before the Match Referee has left his home city to travel to a Test Match, there is much work to be done to ensure that everything is in place for a series to take place. Once the ICC informs me of my appointment, I always try and make immediate contact with the Cricket Operations or umpire Manager of the relevant home board and ensure things, such as team meeting dates, practice sessions and local umpire appointments are properly scheduled and listed ahead of my arrival.

The Match Referee usually tries to arrive in the city, three to four days before the start of a Test Match, to deal with the wide range of challenges that come with staging a major international sports event.

On arrival in a host city, it is important to meet up with the rest of the playing control team, establish contact with key Home Board contacts and call the ground authorities to make sure that everything is ok and then take a chance to unwind after a long flight – coping with jetlag is one of the challenges of the job.

Two days before a match, there are many logistical issues to sort out such as accreditation collection and transportation as well as meetings with security personnel to get briefed by them on any issues surrounding a particular series. These all have to be taken care of to ensure that the officials and players can concentrate on match days on providing the best entertainment possible to the spectators.