Gaffaney set to umpire debut Test

Chris Gaffaney of the Emirates International Panel of International Cricket Council (ICC) Umpires, will become the 479th Test cricket umpire when he officiates in his debut one-off Test between Zimbabwe and South Africa which begins in Harare on Saturday.

Gaffaney played first-class cricket for Otago between 1995 and 2007 as a right-hand batsman and in all played 83 matches where he scoring 10 centuries. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago in 2001 and four years later he graduated from New Zealand Police College. He retired from the game at the age of 32 and immediately took up umpiring in 2007.

In March 2008 he made his First class debut and at the end of that year he was appointed to the first-class panel in New Zealand.

In 2009 he appeared in his maiden first-class match as an umpire participated in an umpiring exchange in South Africa and later also spent time gathering further experience in Australia before he being appointed to the Emirates International Panel of Umpires later that year.

In February 2010 he made his international debut in a One Day International (ODI) between New Zealand ‘B’ and Bangladesh ‘B’ and in September of that same year he stood at the Canada versus Ireland One Day international in Toronto.

Speaking ahead of Gaffaney’s debut Test, Vince Van Der Bijl, Senior Umpires & Referees Manager International Cricket Council, commented: “Chris thoroughly deserves his appointment as a Test umpire and everyone in the ICC - as well as all cricket lovers and members of the match official community worldwide - would like to wish him the very best of luck.”