Taufel to quit umpiring after World T20

Colombo: Australian Simon Taufel will end his international umpiring career after the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka to groom the next generation of elite match officials, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Wednesday.

The 41-year-old has umpired in 74 Tests and 174 one-day internationals in his outstanding career, winning ICC Umpire of the Year award for five successive years from 2004 to 2008. Taufel said in an ICC statement that he wanted to spend more time with his family.

"In my new position as ICC umpire performance and training manager, I look forward to help create professional programmes and resources to support the current and future generations of cricket match officials," he added.

The 41-year-old has umpired in 74 Tests and 174 one-day internationals in his outstanding career.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson paid tribute to one of cricket's most consistent umpires. "Simon has been one of the most respected umpires for over a decade due to his excellent decision-making and man-management skills. "He has been a role model for umpires globally who look to him for inspiration and guidance," he added.

Meanwhile, Bruce Oxenford will be replacing Simon Taufel on the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires from November 1. The 52-year-old Oxenford has already umpired in eight Tests and 39 ODIs after having made his Test debut in Pallekele in a match between Sri Lanka and the West Indies in December 2010.

ICC's Umpire and Referee Manager, Vince Van Der Bijl, congratulated Oxenford on his appointment to the elite panel.

"Bruce is a very experienced and respected umpire, and follows a long line of elite Australian umpires. He has been umpiring at the first-class level for well over a decade and is committed and dedicated to officiating."

"We are delighted to welcome Bruce, who will add his own brand of professionalism, energy and love of umpiring to the elite panel," Vince Van Der Bijl said.

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