Umpire Doctrove stands in 100th ODI
Billy Doctrove of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires yesterday stood in his 100th One-Day International as he took charge of the England v Pakistan match at Lord's, London, joining an exclusive club of officials who have been involved in that many matches.
Doctrove (55) made his international debut on 4 April 1998 in a match between the West Indies and England in Kingstown, St Vincent, and since then has gone on to become one of the game's most recognisable officials, also standing in 29 Tests so far.
A member of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires since 2006, he stood in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup and is the only person from Dominica to umpire at that level. After the match, ICC Director Giles Clarke presented Doctrove with a memento to mark the occasion.
"I really feel honoured to have supervised my 100th ODI," said Doctrove.
"I feel very proud and humble to have reached that significant milestone because when I started umpiring, I never thought I have would reach this milestone. But this shows that with perseverance, patience and high level performance, you can reach the very top of your profession.
"Umpiring has changed to certain extent since I started my career, especially with the technology accompanying cricket now. But pre-match preparations remain the same and you still have to do the basics right.
"I've enjoyed so many special moments in my career so far. There are quite a few standout moments but my first-class debut in 1991, my first Test match between the West Indies and Pakistan in 2000 in Antigua and my appointment to the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires in 2006 are definitely the most special.
"Also, when I did my first Boxing Day Test match in 2008 at my favourite ground, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, it was a great honour for me, as was the Test match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata between India and Pakistan in December 2007. On that occasion, there were 90,000 spectators and I told my mentor, Steve Bucknor, that this crowd was bigger than my entire country. It was an electrifying atmosphere."
Commenting on the milestone, ICC Umpires' and Referees' Manager Vince van der Bijl said: "Like us, Billy is delighted that his 100th ODI was at Lord's. It's a special occasion and a special venue. Billy is a strong, steadfast and dedicated umpire. Sport is his passion and his career.
"The people of Dominica are justly proud of their countryman as their first FIFA soccer referee and their first ICC elite umpire. This has been a wonderful year for Billy. In May this year, he umpired the first two ODIs ever to be played in Dominica, between the West Indies and South Africa.
"He joined the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires in 2006 and has given excellent service. We congratulate him of this fine achievement."
Umpires who have stood in 100 or more ODIs (correct to 21 September, 2010):
Rudi Koertzen 209
Steve Bucknor 181
David Shepherd 172
Daryl Harper 162
Simon Taufel 154
Billy Bowden 148
Darrell Hair 139
Aleem Dar 133
Russell Tiffin 116
David Orchard 107
Asoka de Silva 104
Steve Dunne 100
Billy Doctrove 100