MLC 2023: DALLAS, 29 JUNE 2023 — Major League Cricket (MLC) announced today the panel of 11 match officials for America’s first-ever professional franchise cricket league, which will begin play on July 13, 2023.
In the lead-up to the championship match on Sunday, July 30, nine umpires and two match referees will form an experienced group of officials for the 19 matches scheduled to take place at two cricket-specific venues in North Texas (Grand Prairie Stadium, Grand Prairie, TX) and North Carolina (Church Street Park, Morrisville, NC).
Wayne Knights, Paul Wilson, and Ruchira Palliyaguru are among the three umpires who now serve on the ICC International Panel of Umpires. Four umpires from the United States –
The remaining members of the panel are Jermaine Lindo, Rushane Samuels, Vijaya Prakash Mallela, and Billy Taylor, with Lindo and Mallela also already serving on the International Panel of ICC Development Umpires. Taylor, who just moved to the United States from England, was on the English Cricket Board’s Full Umpires List.
Simon Taufel, five-time ICC Umpire of the Year, will lead the match official squad as a Match Referee, with Reon King, who presently serves on the International Panel of ICC Match Referees. Owen Brown and Colin Edwards will serve as fourth umpires during the competition, rounding up the crew.
“The umpire crew is an important part of the game, and we are delighted to welcome an experienced group that includes some of the best officials in the world,” said Justin Geale, Tournament Director for Major League Cricket. “Our league will give domestic umpires the opportunity to officiate in high-level competition in front of a global audience. We’re happy that two Minor League Cricket umpires who have succeeded in the previous two seasons will also serve as fourth umpires on the Playing Control Team.”
“The cricketing world will be watching this historic event, and the MLC’s “seventh team,” our match officials’ group, is focused on performing to the highest standard with a quality mix of international and domestic-based umpires,” stated Simon Taufel. “I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to the event and contributing to the growth of umpiring in the United States.”
The first-ever MLC match will take place on Thursday, July 13, at 7:30 p.m. CST under the lights at America’s new top cricket stadium, the 7,200-capacity Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, TX. Fans may purchase the few remaining seats at tickets.majorleaguecricket.com for as little as $30.
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