ICC announces match officials for WTC final between India and Australia
WTC is to be played from June 7 and 11. ICC has also kept a reserve day for the title clash in case the weather turns bad.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced the match officials for the much-anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and Australia, starting June 7 in London.
The global cricket body announced that New Zealand’s Chris Gaffney and England’s Richard Illingworth will be the on-field umpires at The Oval for the marquee clash. He will be supported by Richard Kettleborough, appointed as the TV umpire. Kumar Dharmasena of Sri Lanka will be the fourth umpire while Richie Richardson will be the match referee.
The WTC final at The Oval will be Gaffney’s 49th Test match with Illingworth umpiring his 64.th Play. Both of them are members of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and are highly experienced at the international level.
This will be the second consecutive World Test Championship final match for Kettleborough, who has served as the TV umpire for the 2021 World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand in Southampton.
WTC is to be played from June 7 and 11. The ICC has also kept a reserve day for the title match in case the weather turns bad.
“We are working closely with the Local Organizing Committee (ECB) to ensure that this is a great spectacle for the fans. We are expecting full crowds for at least each of the first four days. We know that we are going in the right direction.
“It’s generated huge interest in terms of fans, and two of the best teams in the world duking it out, it’s a fantastic event.
ICC General Manager of Cricket Wasim Khan said, “We are hopeful that the weather will be clear so that we can get the full amount of cricket, although we do have a reserve day to make up for lost time.”
Meanwhile, Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood has been included in the 15-man squad for the much-anticipated encounter. He was back home from IPL 2023 before his team Royal Challengers Bangalore won the match against Gujarat Titans due to side pain. He has been included in the squad along with fellow fast bowlers captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland.
(with agency inputs)
