India vs New Zealand, World Cup 2023: Rod Tucker and Richard Illingworth to officiate semifinal clash
Rod Tucker is set to officiate his 100th ODI during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final clash between India and New Zealand.
The Australian, alongside England’s Richard Illingworth, will serve as on-field umpire in the Mumbai showdown between the host nation and the 2019 runners-up, who previously defeated India at the same stage four years ago.
Illingworth, who was also an on-field umpire in the previous encounter, witnessed New Zealand’s victory by 18 runs in a weather-affected match spanning two days at Old Trafford. Tucker, who served as the third umpire on that occasion, marked his debut in the ODI arena in January 2009. Joel Wilson, Adrian Holdstock, and match referee Andy Pycroft will join him for this milestone match.
Meanwhile, Richard Kettleborough has also achieved a century of ODIs during the ongoing competition and will add to his tally as he officiates the second semi-final between Australia and South Africa in Kolkata. Kettleborough reached this milestone during the Netherlands vs. Sri Lanka match on 21 October.
This marks his third consecutive World Cup overseeing a semi-final, and he will be assisted by Nitin Menon (making his World Cup debut), Chris Gaffaney as the third umpire, with Michael Gough as the fourth umpire and Javagal Srinath as the match referee.
In another notable achievement during the World Cup, Ahsan Raza celebrated his 50th ODI milestone in the match between England and the Netherlands in Pune on 8 November. ICC Manager of Umpires and Referees Sean Easey extended congratulations to the match officials for their dedicated efforts.
“We are happy to announce the match officials for the semifinals of the World Cup. The officiating team has performed to a high standard to this point of the event, and I wish those in the knockouts all the very best.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Rod and Richard for their milestones during this World Cup. Such achievements are only earned via consistently strong performances which is a credit to each of them.”