Cricket Australia (CA) Wednesday congratulated former Test fast bowler Paul Reiffel, who will be making his Test umpiring debut in the match between the West Indies and New Zealand in Antigua.
Reiffel becomes just the fifth former Australian Test player to umpire a Test match, behind fellow players-turned-officials Charles Bannerman, George Coulthard, Patrick George McShane and Alan Richardson.
CA chief executive officer James Sutherland said it was great to see another Australian umpiring at Test level and a testament to CA’s umpire programme.
“Paul was a terrific cricketer for Australia who is now proving that he is an excellent official as well and we wish him all the best for his Test umpiring debut in the Caribbean later tonight Australian time,” Sutherland said.
“Paul becomes just the fifth former Australian cricketer to make the transition from Test player to Test umpire and joins countrymen Steve Davis, Simon Taufel, Rod Tucker and Bruce Oxenford as current Australian Test umpires, the most of any ICC member nation.
“Paul’s rise to the top of umpiring ranks continues Australia’s proud history of producing quality umpires who have come through the development pathway and on to international honours. We hope his transition from player to umpire will continue to inspire others to take that path once their playing days have concluded.”