ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Regional umpire Verdayne Smith will have the opportunity to stand in first class matches in England later this year as part of the reciprocal Umpire Exchange Programme.
The 38-year-old Jamaican, a 16-year-old veteran who is a member of the regional senior panel, will travel to England in March where he will participate in three rounds of first class matches in the County season which bowls off in April.
In exchange, English umpire Martin Saggers will stand in the two final rounds of the Regional First Class season in Trinidad and Tobago and St Kitts.
Smith will be joined in the programme by Trinidadian umpire Zahid Bassarath who will officiate in matches during the Bangladesh first class season between February 19 and March 7.
Similarly, a Bangladeshi umpire will stand in the last three rounds of the Regional First Class season here in St. Lucia, Antigua and Trinidad.
West Indies Cricket Board project officer, Rawl Lewis said the exchange programme was vital to the development of regional umpires.
“This programme has been and continues to be an integral part of our umpire development as it provides opportunities for the umpires to experience different conditions and follow the protocol of other leagues which is vital for their advancement,” the former West Indies leg-spinner said.
