The announcement by the ICC regarding the selection of Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleborough as the on-field umpires for India vs Australia World Cup 2023 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium has stirred unease among Indian fans. Revealed two days before the eagerly anticipated final on November 19, this marks Kettleborough’s second time officiating in a World Cup final. His previous stint was in 2015 witnessing Australia’s triumph over New Zealand at the MCG.
Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough – Highly Experienced Umpires
Kettleborough’s appointment, however, may not bode well for India, as he has been a fixture in many of their ICC tournament knockout matches since their last title in the 2013 Champions Trophy. In seven out of eight knockout matches involving India, Kettleborough served as an umpire, including notable encounters like the 2015 World Cup semi-final and the 2017 Champions Trophy final.
Similarly, Illingworth has been an on-field umpire in three of India’s last eight ICC knockout matches, including their most recent World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. Both Illingworth and Kettleborough, being Englishmen and part of the ICC elite panel officials, are frequently chosen as neutral umpires due to ICC playing conditions.
Having both been promoted to the ICC International List on the same day in November 2009, Illingworth and Kettleborough are highly experienced umpires. They recently officiated the semi-finals, with Illingworth overseeing India’s victory over New Zealand, and Kettleborough in charge of Australia’s thrilling win against South Africa.
Why are Indian fans not happy with this umpire duo’s selection?
The primary area of apprehension centers around Richard Kettleborough, the on-field umpire, whose involvement has coincided with India’s pivotal match disappointments over the last decade.
The regulations set by the ICC necessitate the presence of neutral umpires in ICC events. Given that India and England have faced each other just once in an ICC knockout match over the past 12 years, the frequent selection of Illingworth and Kettleborough, both Englishmen and members of the ICC elite panel, has been driven by the requirement for neutral officiating in India’s matches.
In the upcoming final, the duo will be joined by Joel Wilson as the third umpire, Chris Gaffaney as the fourth umpire, and match referee Andy Pycroft, all of whom were part of the officiating teams during the semi-finals.