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, One Day International and Twenty20 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.

Current members

As of 25 January 2026 the ICC Elite Panel consists of:
RefereeDate of birthAgeTestsODIsT20IsCountry
Ranjan Madugalle22 April 1959231417184ayd|1958|09|14

Past members

The following people were included in the inaugural panel of elite referees but have since retired:
RefereeDate of birthJoined
Panel		Left
Panel		TestsODIsT20IsCountry
Gundappa Viswanath12 February 19492002200415800

Controversies

2006 ball-tampering controversy

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.

2007 Cricket World Cup Final

Jeff Crowe was seen as ultimately responsible for the failure of the five match officials to adhere to the ICC's playing conditions regarding to 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 overs in near darkness, since they had been told they would otherwise have to return and play out the overs the following day. In the aftermath of this fiasco, Crowe apologised on behalf of the playing control team for the error.

Records

Tests

Most Test matches as a referee as of 25 January 2026:
RefereePeriodMatches

ODIs

Most ODI matches as a referee as of 25 January 2026:
RefereePeriodMatches

T20Is

Most T20I matches as a referee as of 25 January 2026:
RefereePeriodMatches