ACO NEWSLETTER - Ecb - England and Wales Cricket Board

‘By-the-Byes’One Aussie retires, one joins ICC EliteSix umpires in corruptionclaimsSix international umpires have been suspendedfollowing allegations made in asting operation by an Indian televisionnews channel.The ICC continues to investigate theclaims made against the six officials fromBangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.The six officials deny the allegations.Simon TaufelAustralian umpire Simon Taufel has retiredfrom the ICC Panel of Umpires followingthe World Twenty20 tournament in SriLanka.Taufel, who will leave the game with thereputation as one of the finest umpires of alltime, will now take up the newly-createdrole of ICC Umpire Performance and TrainingManager.Named as umpire of the year five times ina row between 2004 and 2008, Taufel, 41, ishoping to spend more time with his familyin his new job, as he looks to life off thefield rather than on it.In 2011, he stood in the World Cup Finaland has also been in the middle for the decidersof the World Twenty20 in 2007 and2009, as well as the Champions Trophy in2004.A promising fast bowler in his early days,Taufel represented New South Walesschoolboys with the likes of Adam Gilchristand Michael Slater, before a back injury cuthis career short.This turned his attention to umpiring, andhis rise to the top was a quick one, but fullyjustified. He stood in a fifth-grade game atthe age of 20, and by the age of 27 he hadstood in his first One-Day International.Two years later, he officiated his first testmatch between Australia and West Indies inthe Boxing Day test match at Melbourne.Known for his outstanding professionalismin the middle, thorough knowledge ofthe game and extraordinary ability to get thetightest of decisions right, Taufel has sinceofficiated 73 more test matches and has totalled174 ODIs.Speaking of his decision, Taufel said:“Following the 2012 ICC World Twenty20Bruce OxenfordShropshire’s Tom Kane picks up awardCounty Education Officer for Shropshire,Tom Kane, has received the Desmond WilcoxVolunteer of the Year award for his work withcharity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.Tom, and his hearing dog Nevis, werehanded the award by television presenter TimVincent at the event on the 18 th October.in Sri Lanka, I’m moving on from active internationalumpiring for personal and professionalreasons. My wife and childrenhave supported me immensely throughoutmy career and it is time for me to spendmore time with them.“My passion for cricket umpiring and personalprofessional development has shiftedfrom on the field to off the field. In my newposition as ICC Umpire Performance andTraining Manager, I look forward to helpcreate professional programmes and resourcesto support the current and futuregenerations of cricket match officials. Thenew role includes working closely with thenational cricket federations which is reallyexciting, as is continuing to work with theentire cricket community in helping the developmentof our cricket umpires.”Replacing Taufel on the ICC Elite Panelis fellow Australian Bruce Oxenford, whoofficially started in the role on 1 st Novemberfollowing his return from the WorldTwenty20 in Sri Lanka.Having already stood in eight testmatches and 39 ODIs, Oxenford has impressedover the last few years, resulting inhis call-up to replace Taufel.ICC’s Umpire and Referee Manager,Vince Van Der Bijl, congratulated Oxenfordon his appointment to the elite panel: “Bruceis a very experienced and respected umpire,and follows a long line of elite Australianumpires. He has been umpiring at the firstclasslevel for well over a decade and iscommitted and dedicated to officiating.“We are delighted to welcome Bruce, whowill add his own brand of professionalism,energy and love of umpiring to the elitepanel.”Tom continued to promote the good workthe charity do, and has been to more than 25events in 2012 spreading word of the charity.Speaking of the charity, Tom said: “Eversince I was lucky enough to take Nevis homewith me, he has changed my life in so manyways.”In a statement released by the ICC,they said that the umpires identified inthe sting are not contracted by the ICCand that the national boards who employthem had agreed not to appoint them toany matches whilst investigations continue.ICC has also reiterated its “zero-tolerancetoward corruption whether allegedagainst players or officials.”India TV said that a number of theofficials had agreed to give favorabledecisions, including in a warm-up gamefor the World T20. The ICC has sincesaid that none of the six umpiresofficiated in any official matches at theWorld T20.Chris Watts, ECB Anti-CorruptionOfficer said: “This is an on-goinginvestigation and, as such, it is notappropriate to make any comment aboutthese matters at this time.”No-balls checked for alldismissalsThird umpires will check for no-ballsfollowing all dismissals, it has beenannounced, as part of a number ofamendments made by the ICC.Previously no-balls would only bechecked if the on-field umpire asked, butnow the third umpire will checkimmediately if the delivery was legal.The ICC said in a statement: “If thedelivery was not a fair delivery, the thirdumpire shall advise the on-field umpireby two-way radio who should recall thedismissed batsman, indicate that thebatsman is not out and signal no-ball.”The ICC have also agreed thatday/night test matches can take place. Aslong as both participating nations agree,day/night test matches can now goahead.For a list of all other changes tointernational regulations visitwww.icc-cricket.com.e-mail us at ecbaco@ecb.co.uk 22 contact us on 0121 446 2710