Former Somerset player Allan Jones was voted Chairman of the First-Class Umpires Association by his fellow umpires at their end of season meeting at Lord's recently.

Fast bowler "Jonah" joined the Cidermen from Sussex and between 1970 and 1975 played for Somerset in 118 first class matches, taking 291 wickets at just over 29 runs each.

After leaving Somerset he went onto play for both Glamorgan and Middlesex to become one of the first players in the modern era to represent four counties. Jonah was elected to the First-Class Umpires list in 1985 and since that time has officiated in nearly 250 County Championship matches. He was elected to the Test panel in 1996, and since then has umpired in One Day Internationals and acted as third umpire in a number of Test matches.

Earlier today Jonah told me, "I'm looking forward to the challenge of the job, which involves representing the umpires and working closely with the E.C.B."

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