Former England bowlers Devon Malcolm and Dean Headley join the ECB’s panel of match officials as the organization diversifies the pool of officials; Sue Laister will make history as the ECB’s first female referee during the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy game this weekend
Devon Malcolm claimed 1,054 first-class wickets, including 128 in 40 tests for England
Former test bowlers Devon Malcolm and Dean Headley have been added to the match refereeing panel as part of a diversity campaign at the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Former professional referees John Holder and Ismail Dawood are taking legal action against the ECB for alleged racial discrimination, and the organization has since reevaluated the way it “attracts, develops and manages the performance of its referees” to increase diversity.
The ECB has not designated a non-white match official on its first-class list since 1992.
Malcolm, born in Jamaica, and his sewing partner Headley, who is also of Afro-Caribbean descent, are two of five new names on the ECB’s panel of match referees, along with Will Smith, Alec Swann and Simon Hinks.
Malcolm played 40 Tests for England, with his most memorable match against South Africa at The Oval in 1994 when they won 9-57, and 10 one-day internationals, while Headley played 15 Tests and 13 ODI.
Former Durham Smith captain, former Lancashire and Northamptonshire Swann batsman, and former Kent and Gloucestershire player Hinks have joined Malcolm and Headley on the newly formed Supplementary Panel, which was created to provide opportunities to develop new umpires from matches in men and women. play.
The quintet will operate primarily in the Vitality Blast, Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, Women’s Regional T20 and Royal London Cup matches, but are available for other assignments on a tight summer schedule.
Additionally, Sue Laister will make history as the ECB’s first female referee when she takes charge of the Northern Diamonds against Central Sparks at the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in Headingley on Saturday.
Neil Snowball, BCE’s managing director of county cricket, said: “I am delighted to announce these appointments as we seek to develop, expand and diversify our pool of officers.
“Our five new appointments to the supplemental panel bring a wealth of experience to benefit men’s and women’s soccer.”
Earlier this month, Anna Harris and Yvonne Dolphin-Cooper became the first all-female referee team designated to participate in an ECB Premier League match.
