Age cap on BCCI referees raises debate

NEW DELHI: Following the Indian cricket board's (BCCI) move to cap the age limit for domestic-level match referees at 60, state associations are busy zeroing on former cricketers to ensure an adequate number of competent match-referees for the next domestic season. To qualify for the match referee's job, one must have played at least 25 first-class matches for the respective state.
In the process of appointing these fresh faces, however, BCCI may lose out on some competent referees like Kalyan Sunderam, B Raghunath, Raju Mukherjee and Balbir Singh, all of whom have crossed the age limit. The board plans to use their expertise to prepare certificate courses for referees.
According to sources, there has been mixed reaction to the BCCI's decision to put an age cap on match referees. Interestingly, the world cricket body (ICC) has no age limit. Two controversial match referees who continued to serve the ICC beyond the age of 60 are Allan Hurst and Mike Procter. However, for Test umpires the cut-off age is 60 since they need to be sharp and physically fit to carry out their duties.
Those who don't agree with the BCCI's decision say there is confusion over whether the recommendation came from the BCCI umpires committee or from some other source. Anil Kumble, the Karnataka Cricket Association president, may raise the issue in the upcoming working committee meeting in Kolkata. "It's surprising because no one knows who has recommended this change," a source close to the development said.
"The move to introduce a cut-off age for referees was decided in November last year. There are around 850 first-class matches every year and we need plenty of new faces. The board also wants to see some new faces on the ICC match referee's panel," a top BCCI official told TOI on Tuesday.
To be on the ICC panel, match referees must be former Test players. TOI reported in April this year how the BCCI was mulling conducting camps for referees who could make it to the international stage. Now, in a bid to look for former cricketers interested in the job, some of the state units are facing questions related to financial remuneration.
Currently, the board pays Rs 15,000 per day allowance to all domestic match referees. The amount will be hiked in the next BCCI AGM due in September.
The board is also conducting a three-day workshop for shortlisted match referees next month, to be followed by a short compulsory test for applicants before they are accredited.
"For online reporting of matches, communication skills are important. The BCCI wasn't happy with the way the match-referee handled the Praveen Kumar issue last year during a corporate tournament," the official added.