Elite Panel of ICC Referees

The Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Referees is composed of former international cricket players who are appointed by the ICC to oversee all Test match and One Day International cricket matches in the capacity of Match referee. The referees are ultimately in charge of all international cricket matches, and act as the ICC's representative at the grounds. In addition they are responsible for imposing penalties for infringements of the ICC Code of Conduct, and so being ex-international cricketers they can ensure that the punishments dealt out are just. The referees also form part of the ICC's umpire performance review, submitting reports about the umpires after each match.

As of the 23 February, 2017 the ICC Elite Panel consisted of:

The following people were included in the inaugural panel of elite referees in 2002, but have since retired:

Mike Procter was criticised for failing to persuade umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove to continue with the match, which was awarded to England when Pakistan refused to take the field in protest at being accused of ball tampering.

Jeff Crowe was seen as ultimately responsible for the ignorance of all five match officials (himself and umpires Bucknor, Dar, Koertzen and Bowden) of the ICC's playing conditions with regards the number of overs required before Duckworth-Lewis can determine the outcome of a match. This resulted in Australia and Sri Lanka having to play out three unnecessary overs in near darkness since they had been told they would otherwise have to return and play out the overs on the following day. In the aftermath Crowe apologised on behalf of the playing control team.

Most Test matches as a referee as of 23 February, 2017:

Most ODI matches as a referee as of 23 February, 2017:

Most T20I matches as a referee as of 23 February, 2017:

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