Umpire Wilson hailed for first Test pick

Umpire Wilson hailed for first Test pick

Published: Guardian
Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Umpire Joel Wilson.... to stand in the First Test between Bangladesh and South Africa in Chittagong.

Umpire Joel Wilson has been congratulated on his appointment to officiate in the First Test between Bangladesh and South Africa from July 21 to July 25 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. It will be the first time that Wilson, 48, will be standing in a Test match and marks another exciting chapter in his career as a worthy representative of the West Indies Cricket Board on the International Panel of Umpires and Referees.

Leading the accolades was Azim Bassarath, president of the T&T Cricket Board, himself a former president of the Cricket Umpires and Scorers Council who said yesterday he was very pleased at the latest development. Bassarath said that he was elated that Wilson’s time had arrived on the world cricket stage and was rich reward for hard work, commitment and sacrifice which he has demonstrated over the course of his career so far.

“Joel serves as an inspiration to the new generation of umpires coming through the ranks who will now have someone to look up to and become motivated to emulate him which we think is a powerful symbol of what can be achieved when one puts their mind to achieving their desired goals,” said Bassarath.

The local cricket chief said that it had been a roller-coaster experience for Wilson as he gradually climbed up the ladder leading to the recognition by the International Cricket Council (ICC) that he possesses the qualities of his peers on the Elite Panel of Test umpires.

“We have always known that Joel has the capability to rise up the ranks in umpiring as he has always strove for the highest professional standards. He must also be commended for devoting time to enhance the capabilities of other umpires through mentoring and training programmes in his native country,” said Bassarath.

Wilson has officiated in 21 One-Day Internationals, 16 T20 International and was recently in action as one of 20 umpires selected to do duty at the ICC World Cup tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

Bassarath said he was confident that Wilson would do T&T and the entire Caribbean proud when he strides out on the field to share umpiring duties in what is expected to be a very competitive encounter between a resurgent Bangladesh playing on their home turf against the world’s No 1 ranked Test side, South Africa.

Congrats to umpire Wilson and I hope he will perform well and open the door for additional umpires from the West Indies region. For too long now the West Indian umpires have been left out of international cricket!