Match officials for Cricket World Cup semis announced

MUMBAI: Rod Tucker will stand in his 100th One-Day International during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final between India and New Zealand.

The Australian and Richard Illingworth of England will be the on-field umpires for the Mumbai clash between the host nation and the 2019 runners-up, who beat India at the same stage four years ago.

Illingworth was also an on-field umpire on that occasion, when New Zealand won by 18 runs in a weather-affected match spread over two days at Old Trafford, while Tucker was the third umpire.

Tucker stood in his first ODI in January 2009 and he is set to be joined for his landmark match by third umpire Joel Wilson, fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock and match referee Andy Pycroft.

Richard Kettleborough has also reached a century of ODIs during this competition and will add to his tally when he oversees the second semi-final between Australia and South Africa in Kolkata.

Kettleborough’s milestone arrived when the Netherlands played Sri Lanka on October 21, and this will be the third consecutive World Cup in which he would have overseen a semi-final.

He will be joined on the field by Nitin Menon, officiating in his first World Cup, while Chris Gaffaney will act as third umpire. Michael Gough (fourth umpire) and Javagal Srinath (match referee) complete the quintet.

Another milestone achieved during the World Cup was Ahsan Raza’s 50th ODI, in the match between England and the Netherlands in Pune on November 8.

ICC Manager of Umpires and Referees Sean Easey congratulated the match officials for their efforts. “We are happy to announce the match officials for the semi-finals of the World Cup. The officiating team has performed to a high standard to this point of the event, and I wish those in the knockouts all the very best.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Rod and Richard for their milestones during this World Cup. Such achievements are only earned via consistently strong performances which is a credit to each of them.”

Match Officials for the semi-finals:

SF1: India v New Zealand, November 15, Mumbai

On Field Umpires: Richard Illingworth & Rod Tucker

Third Umpire: Joel Wilson

Fourth Umpire: Adrian Holdstock

Match Referee: Andy Pycroft

SF2: Australia v South Africa, November 16, Kolkata

On Field Umpires: Richard Kettleborough & Nitin Menon

Third Umpire: Chris Gaffaney

Fourth Umpire: Michael Gough

Match Referee: Javagal Srinath