West Indians Richie Richardson and Leslie Reifer have been appointed as match officials for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place from February 7 to March 8 in Sri Lanka and India. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced their selection, marking a significant achievement for both officials.
Richie Richardson, 64, a former captain of the West Indies cricket team, will serve as one of the six match referees during the tournament. This event will mark his second consecutive World Cup appearance, having previously officiated at the 2024 T20 World Cup co-hosted by the Caribbean and the USA. Richardson boasts an impressive record, having officiated 126 T20 Internationals (T20Is), 15 Women’s T20 Internationals (Wt20Is), and seven T20 matches.
Leslie Reifer, a 36-year-old from Barbados, has been selected as one of the 24 umpires for the tournament. Reifer brings valuable experience to the panel, having served as an umpire at the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup held in South Africa. His officiating journey includes 67 T20Is and an extensive tally of 237 T20 matches, showcasing his proficiency in the shortest format of the game.
The full list of match referees includes Dean Cosker, David Gilbert, Ranjan Madugalle, Andrew Pycroft, and Javagal Srinath, while the group of umpires features renowned names such as Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, and Paul Reiffel, among others.
With Richardson and Reifer representing the West Indies on this prestigious international stage, the tournament is not just an opportunity for competition but also a moment of pride for Caribbean cricket. Their involvement underscores the region’s ongoing contribution to the international cricket arena.