Two New Zealand Cricket umpires are winging their way overseas to experience officiating in different environments thanks to two umpiring exchange initiatives.
Former Wellington and New Zealand player and current New Zealand First-Class umpire Evan Gray, has been chosen as this year’s participant for the exchange in South Africa. He will travel to Johannesburg and Benoni in late March to stand in two First-Class Fixtures, while South African umpire and former player Brad White will head to New Zealand to stand in two Plunket Shield games in early March in Hamilton and Rangiora.
The exchange between New Zealand and South African umpires is in its 13th year .It allows umpires to experience a new cricketing environment and conditions, along with and the challenges associated with unfamiliar venues and different players. It also helps develop stronger umpiring ties between the two countries.
Another umpiring exchange is also underway between New Zealand Cricket and Sri Lanka Cricket umpires. The exchange is in its first year and the goal is to also help grow the ties between the two countries. Umpire Phil Jones is currently in Colombo and will stand in three First-Class fixtures over the next few weeks, while Sri Lankan Umpire Ranmore Martinesz will stand in two Plunket Shield games, one in Queenstown and one in Auckland over the next two rounds of the domestic Plunket Shield competition.
