Van der Bijl pays tribute to ICC's match referees
The annual seminar for members of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees demonstrated the commitment of the game’s top officials, according to the incoming ICC Umpires’ and Referees’ Manager Vince van der Bijl.
Speaking after the seminar, which took place last week at Lord’s, London, van der Bijl said he was impressed with the passion the seven elite match referees had for the game and for the job they were entrusted to do.
“It’s not an easy job being a match referee,” said former Middlesex and Natal fast bowler van der Bijl. “The key to it is probably preparation and this annual seminar is a vital part of that preparation process,” he said.
“It is also a great opportunity to get all seven referees in one room in an environment where they can share information on best practice and the various issues that face them as officials of the modern game.
“I am just coming into this job and I must say how impressed I am with the attitude and passion these referees have for the job and for the game of cricket. They have been around the game their whole lives and the amount of knowledge and expertise on show during the seminar made for some really enlightening discussions.
“The role of the match referee has changed in recent years and he is now very much the chief executive of the match. There is a great deal of responsibility and having been exposed now to the work that goes on behind the scenes, I am heartened by the referee group’s desire to excel in their roles – they do a fine job.”
The two-day annual seminar included discussions on such topics as code of conduct hearings, playing regulations, media protocols, over-rates, comfort breaks, use of runners and the trialing of the umpire decision review system. Also present at the meeting was David Richardson, ICC’s General Manager – Cricket.
The seven-man Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees is made up of: Ranjan Madugalle (chief match referee), Chris Broad, Jeff Crowe, Alan Hurst, Roshan Mahanama, Mike Procter, Javagal Srinath.
Van der Bijl starts his new role as ICC Umpires and Referees Manager at the beginning of August.
Note: an audio interview with ICC Umpires’ and Referees’ Manager Vince van der Bijl is available online at www.icc-cricket.com
Background information on Vintcent van der Bijl (ICC Umpires’ and Referees’ Manager)
Surely one of the best bowlers never to play Test cricket, the 6ft 7in Vince van der Bijl represented Natal and Transvaal in his native South Africa during the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s where he broke several wicket-taking records. He was also an influential member of the successful Middlesex team in 1980, sparking up a formidable new-ball partnership with West Indian Wayne Daniel under the captaincy of Mike Brearley. He took 85 first-class wickets for Middlesex at an average of 14.72, third in the averages behind Joel Garner and Richard Hadlee, and was named one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the year in 1981. Always popular, always enthusiastic, van der Bijl (60) brings genuine cricketing credibility to his new post.
