New Zealand Cricket today announced the umpires for the NZC Elite Panel, A Panel and Emerging Panel for the 2012-13 season.
Specsavers Elite Panel: Gary Baxter, Chris Gaffaney, Phil Jones, Wayne Knights, Derek Walker, Barry Frost, Evan Watkin, Tim Parlane, Phil Agent
Specsavers A Panel: Hiran Perera, Mike George, Chris Brown, Ash Mehrotra, Mark Elliott, David Reid, David Paterson, Peter Spall ,Peter Gasston, Tony Gillies, Raoul Allen, Johann Fourie
Specsavers Emerging Panel: Paul Anderson, Glen Walklin, Shaun Ryan, David Tidmarsh, Kathy Cross, John Bromley, Garth Stirrat, Aaron Hardie, Richard Hooper
One new face has been added to the Elite Panel with Phil Agent (Dunedin) elevated from the A Panel.
Raoul Allen (Auckland) and Johann Fourie (Masterton) will replace Agent on the A Panel, with both being promoted from the Emerging Panel.
Richard Hooper (Christchurch) is the one new face on the list and joins eight other existing Emerging Panel members following strong performances in his region.
New Zealand Cricket National Umpire Manager Rodger McHarg said: “Phil Agent has performed strongly in the A Panel during the last two years and thoroughly deserves his promotion to the Elite panel. I’m confident he will continue to develop and progress.
“I’m pleased to confirm that Gary Baxter and Chris Gaffaney will continue as the NZC nominations to the ICC Emirates International Panel and congratulate Derek Walker on being appointed to the designated third umpire position.”
Around 300 matches are covered by the NZC umpires, with the Specsavers Elite Panel primarily covering the Plunket Shield, The Ford Trophy and HRV Cup competitions. Umpires from the A Panel are appointed to those competitions when the umpires from the Elite Panel are officiating in international matches.
Umpires from the A Panel and Emerging Panel cover all other national competitions including Action Women’s domestic cricket, NZ Cricket’s domestic Provincial A, U 19 and development tournaments, and the keenly contested Hawke Cup.
