Boon to replace Hurst as ICC Match Referee
The ICC today announced that former Australia batsman David Boon will replace compatriot Alan Hurst on the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees after Mr Hurst announced his retirement, effective from the conclusion of his upcoming assignments in England.
Mr Hurst, who joined the panel in April 2004, will retire six days before his 61st birthday on 9 July after officiating in the fifth and final ODI between England and Sri Lanka in Manchester. All going to plan, that will be Hurst's 102nd ODI as he becomes just the 10th match referee to date to officiate in a century of ODIs.
Mr Hurst's 45th and last Test as a member of the elite panel will be the third and final game of the series between England and Sri Lanka in Southampton from 16 to 20 June.
The former fast bowler from Melbourne, who played 12 Tests and eight ODIs between 1974 and 1979, has also officiated in 25 T20Is, including matches in the ICC World Twenty20 England 2009 and West Indies 2010.
Mr Hurst, who is currently refereeing the West Indies and Pakistan Test series in the Caribbean, said: "I have had seven wonderful years as an ICC match referee, a time that has provided me with lasting memories of some exceptional cricket matches, champion players and outstanding performances.
"I have been privileged to work with a group of highly skilled and dedicated referees and umpires and have made a lot of friends in the international cricket community.
"I am very appreciative of the opportunity that Cricket Australia and the ICC have offered me and it will remain one of the valued times of my life.
"I now look forward to moving on to the next phase in my life, spending more time with family and pursuing a range of interests and hobbies."
Mr Boon (50) enjoyed an international career spanning from 1984 to 1996. In that time, he played 107 Tests and 181 ODIs for Australia. In the longest format of the game, he scored 7,422 runs, including 21 centuries and 32 half-centuries while he hit 5,964 runs with five centuries and 37 half-centuries in limited-overs internationals.
Mr Boon made his first-class debut for Tasmania in 1978-79 at the age of 17 and retired from all levels of cricket at the end of the 1999 English County Championship season with Durham but not before he had scored 23,413 first-class runs at an average of 44.00 with 68 centuries and 114 half-centuries.
Boon is currently General Manager ? Cricket at Cricket Tasmania, and is also an Australia national selector. However, he will relinquish both those posts before taking over his assignment as an ICC Match Referee.
Following his appointment, Mr Boon said: "I am excited with this appointment as it provides me with another opportunity to stay involved with this great sport.
"Having played first-class cricket for nearly two decades and having been involved in marketing, cricket administration and national selection matters, I think I bring a lot of experience to the group which includes some of the most respected names in the sport.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as an Australian selector ? it has been a great privilege to be involved at the national level. Naturally as an ICC match referee I will have to step down from the selection panel.
"I wish to thank everyone at Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania for their understanding and support."
ICC's Umpires' and Referees' Manager Vince Van Der Bijl said: "Alan is an outstanding and consummate referee. He has raised the level of professionalism in refereeing. His leadership qualities, integrity and passion for cricket will be missed. It is fitting that he will reach his ODI century at Lords ? a memorable milestone for Alan.
"We welcome David Boon to the elite panel. He has already served the game so well as an international cricketer of repute and standing, a national vice-captain, a national selector and administrator. We look forward to working with David and have no doubt that he will make a strong and important contribution to ensuring that the game is played and officiated in a manner befitting to great spirit."