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Umpiring is one of the most challenging tasks in cricket. A cricket game typically involves two teams. Each side puts a lot of effort into winning the games. Any choice the umpire makes in this circumstance can change the game entirely. In cricket, the umpires play a significant role. The history of cricket is filled with numerous games. They are subject to criticism because the umpire made a poor decision. Umpires frequently receive plaudits for making wise decisions. Here, we will discuss the 5 best umpires in cricket history. The Umpires have a reputation for using sound judgment.
Anthony Lloyd Hill is one of the best umpires in cricket history. In 1998, Tony officiated an ODI match between
New Zealand and
Zimbabwe. And he has advanced significantly since then, officiating over 150 games across all three forms. In 2001, the New Zealander played his first test match; in 2005, he played his first T20 match. The ICC frequently selected Hill to officiate games outside of New Zealand. In 2009, he was appointed in ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. Hill's 15-year career included 139 ODIs, 24 T20s, and 64 Tests even though he had no prior experience officiating first-class cricket when he entered international umpiring. Hill served as the New Zealand Cricket's umpire coach after he retired in 2013.
Srinivas Venkataraghavan, who led India to the first two
Cricket World Cup victories, will forever be remembered in the history of Indian cricket. However, if you delve a little deeper, Venkat—as he was known—is also the only Indian umpire to be selected for the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. Ten years after his exit from
international cricket in 1993, Venkat made his debut as an umpire. During England's tour of India, he officiated games between
England and
India, making both his ODI and test debuts. Venkat was a competent off-spinner who used his quick judgment as an umpire when he was playing. In 2004, when his 11-year tenure ended, Venkat had overseen 79 tests and 78 ODIs.
During his remarkable 17-year career as an umpire, Daryl Harper made history by becoming the first Australian to be named to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in 2002. The Australian oversaw the first ODI game in 1994 after making his first-class umpiring debut in 1987. At the WACA field, Harper officiated in his first test match during the 1998
. The Australian official oversaw 17 T20s, 104 test matches and 221 ODIs. For playing in 100 ODI matches in
, he was given the ICC Bronze Bail Award in 2005. Harper, often a calm and reliable umpire, faced criticism during the 2011 India vs. West Indies test series and had to quit for "performance problems."
The South African umpire's white beard and sunglasses may have helped you remember him. However, Rudi Koertzen was much more than that. A South African is one of just two umpires in cricket history to preside over more than 100 test matches and 200 ODIs. During India's tour of
South Africa in 1992, Koertzen made his debut for his country in both ODI and Test matches. When the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires was established in 2002, he joined as a founding member. Koertzen was renowned for slowly raising his index finger to declare the batter out.
During his tenure, the South African refereed prestigious matches such as India vs.
Pakistan, The Ashes, the World Cup semifinals, and the Champions Trophy finals in 2004 and 2006. Koertzen is the only umpire to have won all three ICC Bronze, Silver, and Golden Bails Awards. Additionally, he completed his career with 206 decisions, the most of any umpire to date. He was also the first official to officiate 200 ODIs. Koertzen had one of the best umpiring careers, with 128 tests and 19 T20s.
Aleem Dar, the lone current umpire on our list and another well-known figure among cricket fans. He was a legend of the sport even before he retired. After 19 years, the Pakistani umpire is still going strong after making his debut in 2000. Dar has officiated 125 tests, only three fewer than Steve Bucknor, who now holds the record. The Pakistani umpire is second on this list with 200 ODIs under his belt, trailing only Rudi Koertzen. Dar, though, has officiated 43 T20 games in total, which is the most ever.
The World Cup, Champions Trophy, and
T20 World Cup finals of all three ICC competitions were officiated by the 51-year-old. Aleem Dar, an ICC's Elite Panel member, ended Simon Taufel's reign as the most outstanding umpire by taking the prize in 2009, 2010, and 2011. The Pakistani government also gave him the President's Award for the Pride of Performance.
Umpiring is one of the most sensitive and crucial responsibilities in cricket. There are numerous instances in cricket history when bad or good umpiring has significantly impacted the victory and loss of the match, even in some cases complete tournament. So, above, we have gone through some of the most outstanding umpires.
