The ICC has announced the appointment of Chris Kelly as its first Umpires and Referees Manager, a role created to provide ICC's new panels of match officials with a support infrastructure appropriate to the demands of international sport. Kelly's principle responsibility will be to "manage, mentor and coach" ICC's umpires and referees for their demanding jobs in Test and One Day International cricket worldwide.

Malcolm Speed, ICC Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the news of the appointment as the latest development in the evolution of the ICC into an authentic international governing body for cricket:

"I am delighted to welcome Chris to our team at the ICC. I have every confidence that he will prove to be an invaluable asset to our match officials as international cricket embarks on new era of full time professional umpires and referees. This appointment, coming so soon after the extremely successful workshops held in South Africa last week, is further indication of the ICC's intent to bring about a significant improvement in the quality of international match officiating."

In addition to supporting the match officials Kelly will play a major role in the development and implementation of an accreditation and training program for the development of professional umpires and referees and the establishment of an overseas exchange program for Panel umpires. This scheme, which will operate between Full and Associate Member countries, is intended to provide valuable experience for up and coming umpires in standing in different conditions in preparation for progressing to the Elite Panel.

Kelly, 44, is currently the Deputy Head of Lower School at the Royal Grammar School in Worcester. He is a member of The England and Wales Cricket Boards (ECB) First Class Umpires Reserve list and has umpired extensively in County and Minor Counties Cricket taking charge of MCCA v South Africa in 1998 and the MCC Trophy Final at Lord's in 1997. Chris also has extensive experience instructing and lecturing on the Laws of Cricket for emerging umpires both in England and internationally. He will take up his new role on 10th April.

Media contact:

David Clarke
ICC Communications
Tel: 00 44 (0) 20 7266 7914
Mobile: 00 44 (0) 7774 476398
Email: david.clarke@icc-cricket.com

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