Dubai, 27 October 2026: Richard Kettleborough has become only the fifth umpire to stand in 100 Test matches, reaching the mark in the third Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town on Tuesday.
The 53-year-old member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires joins Aleem Dar (145 Tests), Steve Bucknor (128), Rudi Koertzen (108) and Rod Tucker (102).
Jay Shah praises ‘outstanding achievement’
ICC Chairman Jay Shah said: “Reaching 100 Test matches as an on-field umpire is an outstanding achievement and a moment to celebrate Richard Kettleborough’s exceptional career. To be only the fifth umpire to reach this landmark speaks volumes about his consistency, professionalism and enduring contribution to the game.”
Kettleborough thanked the ICC, the ECB and his fellow officials. “To my dad and aunt who are sadly no longer with us, I know how proud you would have been, to my children Millie, Jack and Alfie and to loved ones, I wish you could all be here. This milestone is as much yours as it is mine,” he said.
From county cricketer to Elite Panel
Kettleborough played 33 first-class matches for Middlesex and Yorkshire between 1994 and 1999. He joined the ECB umpires’ panel in 2006 and made his international debut in a T20I between England and Australia at Old Trafford in 2009.
His first Test was Sri Lanka against West Indies in Galle in November 2010. He was named to the Elite Panel in May 2011, its youngest member at the time. He has also stood in 114 ODIs, 46 T20Is, four women’s ODIs and four women’s T20Is.
World Cup finals
Kettleborough was an on-field umpire in the Men’s Cricket World Cup finals of 2015 and 2023. The 2023 final was India’s defeat to Australia in Ahmedabad.
He has stood in seven Men’s T20 World Cups, including the 2014 and 2021 finals, and was TV umpire for the 2024 final. He also officiated at the Champions Trophy in 2013, 2017 (including the final) and 2025, and was TV umpire at the World Test Championship finals of 2021 and 2023.
