Australia’s elite cricket umpiring panel is bidding farewell to two highly regarded umpires, Bruce Oxenford and Paul Wilson, as they announce their retirement.
Australia’s highly regarded and longtime cricket umpires, Paul Wilson and Bruce Oxenford, are set to conclude their careers after the current Australian season. Both umpires have declared their retirement from the Cricket Australia National Umpires Panel.
The culmination of their distinguished umpiring journeys will take place during the Marsh Sheffield Shield clash between Western Australia and Queensland at the WACA Ground in Perth from March 1 to 4.
Paul Wilson, who previously represented the Australian cricket team in Tests and ODIs before transitioning to umpiring, played a significant role in the sport. With an international career that included one Test and 11 ODIs, Wilson went on to serve as an umpire on the ICC International Panel for 11 years. Over his tenure, the 52-year-old officiated in eight Tests, 43 ODIs, and 26 T20 Internationals. His umpiring portfolio also boasts 62 first-class matches, 61 List-A matches, and 88 BBL matches. Notably, Wilson was selected as one of the match officials for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India.
Bruce Oxenford, who spent 13 years on the ICC Elite Panel, is also bidding farewell with his move to the Cricket Australia National Umpiring Panel. His impressive career includes officiating in 62 Tests and 97 ODIs, along with 75 first-class matches, 50 List A matches, and 43 BBL games. Oxenford conducted his debut ODI match in 2008 and his first Test match in 2010. The 63-year-old attained the prestigious ICC Elite Umpire Panel status in 2012, but in January 2021, he announced his retirement from international umpiring.
Oxenford and Wilson both shared their appreciation for the chances that cricket umpiring has given them.
“I am forever grateful to Cricket Australia for signing me to the Project Panel, following in the footsteps of Paul Reiffel and Rod Tucker,” Wilson said in a statement.
“This profession has enabled me to travel the world, be a part of some amazing cricket matches and make lifelong friends along the way. I’m truly honoured to be able to spend my last first-class match with ‘Ox’,” he added.
“I am looking forward to whatever new challenges lie ahead off the field,” added Oxenford.
The retirement of Oxenford and Wilson will definitely leave a void in Cricket Australia, with their experience and professionalism being irreplaceable. It signifies the conclusion of a significant era in Australian cricket umpiring.
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