The ICC has appointed former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain and International Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle, to be its Chief Referee. This is a new position within the ICC, which did not previously have a Chief Referee.

"He is clearly regarded as the outstanding member of the existing panel. His record as a former captain of Sri Lanka and the high regard in which he is held throughout the cricket world make him an ideal appointment for this position," said ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed.

The ICC recently took a decision to appoint five International Match Referees on contract, departing from the present practice of appointing Match Referees tour by tour. Madugalle is the first of the Match Referees to be appointed.

As his first task, Madugalle will identify a panel of potential referees from whom the remaining four referees will be chosen. The final panel will be chosen by the ICC Chief Executive and Sunil Gavaskar, the Chairman of the Cricket Committee Playing.

Madugalle played for Sri Lanka in 21 Tests and 65 one-day-internationals between 1979 and 1989, captaining the team from 1987-89. He has served as an ICC Match Referee since 1994, and has officiated in matches involving all Testplaying nations.

He had the distinction of serving as the Match Referee in the 1999 World Cup Final in England, and the ICC Knockout Tournament Finals in 1998 and 2000. He served as a Match Referee in the 1996 and 1999 World Cups.

Madugalle served on the ICC Panel on Illegal Deliveries from its inception until 2000, and was also a member of the ICC Sub-Committee to Review Umpiring and Refereeing Standards.

He was a National Selector from 1990-92 and again from 1992-97. He is currently a Member of the BCCSL's Cricket Committee.

© BCCSL