Dubai, 11 November: Australian umpire Paul Reiffel completed 100 One Day Internationals as an on-field umpire when he stood in the third ODI between New Zealand and India in Hamilton on Tuesday.
The International Cricket Council congratulated Reiffel, a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, on the milestone. He is the 23rd umpire to stand in at least 100 ODIs and the sixth Australian to do so, after Daryl Harper, Simon Taufel, Darrell Hair, Steve Davis and Rod Tucker.
The rain-affected match was washed out, leaving India 2-0 up in the five-match series.
From player to umpire
Reiffel was named in Australia’s national umpire panel in 2005, six years after his last international appearance as a player. In 2008 he became the first former Australian Test cricketer to be appointed to the ICC International Panel of Umpires, and he was promoted to the Elite Panel in June 2013.
His first ODI as an umpire was between Australia and New Zealand in Melbourne in February 2009. He has stood at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups of 2015, 2019 and 2023 and the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy in 2017 and 2025. Reiffel and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Dharmasena are the only two men to have both played in and umpired in 90 ODIs.
‘One of the most respected officials’
Gaurav Saxena, the ICC’s general manager for events and cricket operations, said: “Having played at the highest level of international cricket, he has successfully transitioned into umpiring and established himself as one of the most respected officials in the game. His 13 years on the Elite Panel speak volumes about his consistency, professionalism and the high standards he has maintained.”
Reiffel thanked the ICC, Cricket Australia, his fellow umpires and referees, and his family. “It has been a wonderful journey to be involved in the game at the highest level, first as a cricketer and then as an umpire, and I feel fortunate to have had these opportunities,” he said. “I look forward to being part of many more matches and making many more memories in the years ahead.”
Read more: India beat New Zealand on DLS to go 2-0 up. Follow more cricket news on Indian Sports News.
