India and Australia are poised for an electrifying showdown in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad this Sunday.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the eminent duo of Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleborough from England as the on-field umpires for the highly anticipated summit clash.
Illingworth officiated in the semifinal between India and New Zealand, while Kettleborough presided over the semifinal clash between Australia and South Africa.
Additional Umpires:
Adding to the prestigious panel, Joel Wilson from the West Indies and Christopher Gaffaney from New Zealand have been appointed as the third and fourth umpires, respectively, for the final. Notably, all four umpires, along with match referee Andy Pycroft, were actively involved in officiating during the enthralling semifinal encounters.
Key Umpire Highlights:
Richard Kettleborough, who recently marked his 100th ODI as an umpire in the match between Netherlands and Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament, will be officiating in a World Cup final for the second time. His previous stint was alongside Kumar Dharmasena in the 2015 final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Both Kettleborough and Illingworth boast accolades as former recipients of the prestigious David Shepherd Trophy, presented to the ICC's Umpire of the Year. Kettleborough claimed this honour consecutively from 2013 to 2015, while Illingworth joined the distinguished list by clinching the award in 2019 and 2022.
Umpiring Dynamics:
The consistency of Illingworth and Kettleborough in officiating India's matches can be attributed to the ICC's regulations mandating neutral umpires for ICC events. Being Englishmen and elite panel officials for the ICC, they have frequently officiated during India's matches, especially given that India and England have faced each other only once in an ICC knockout match in the last 12 years.
Both Illingworth and Kettleborough, who were promoted to the ICC International List on the same day in November 2009, have showcased their expertise by serving as on-field umpires during this week’s gripping semi-finals. Illingworth oversaw India’s triumph over New Zealand, while Kettleborough supervised Australia’s captivating victory against South Africa.
The Final's Umpiring Team:
The final will witness Illingworth and Kettleborough in charge as on-field umpires, supported by Joel Wilson as the third umpire, Christopher Gaffaney as the fourth umpire, and match referee Andy Pycroft, all of whom were integral parts of the officiating teams during the semifinals. The complete lineup of umpires and match officials for the final is as follows:
- On-field umpires: Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleborough
- Match referee: Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe)
- Third umpire: Joel Wilson
- Fourth umpire: Christopher Gaffaney
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