By Zim Sport Live Writer
Former Zimbabwe captain Andy Pycroft on Thursday became only the fourth official in the history of men’s Test cricket to complete 100 games as a match referee with the Boxing Day contest between India and Australia that began in Melbourne on Thursday.
The exclusive list is led by former Sri Lanka player Ranjan Madugalle as the most experienced match referee with 225 Tests, followed by New Zealand’s Jeff Crowe (125) and England’s Chris Broad (123).
The 68-year-old Pycroft played three Tests and 20 ODIs for Zimbabwe from 1983-1992.
“Pycroft, who has also officiated in 238 men’s ODIs, 174 men’s T20Is and 21 women’s T20Is since 2009, said he has enjoyed every minute of the journey to 100 matches as a match referee,’ the ICC said on its website.
Pycroft said touching the mark is a great honour and he is thankful to have been afforded the opportunity to officiate all over the world, “embracing different cultures.”
“It has been a rewarding journey and I have treasured every moment of it,” he added.
Pycroft, who had stints as coach and chief selector in Zimbabwe, has been a cricket match referee since officiating at the Test match between England and the West Indies at Lord’s in May 2009.
He officiated in an ODI for the first time in Bristol, England during the same month, while his T20I debut was in the match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo in September 2009.
Pycroft, whose primary years as a cricketer were before Zimbabwe got Test status, played three Tests and 20 One Day Internationals as a batsman, participating in ICC Cricket World Cups in 1983, 1987 and 1992.
After retiring he moved into administration, managing the Zimbabwe national Under-19 side, and becoming a selector and subsequently the head of the selectors.
He became Zimbabwe’s coach in 2001 but resigned during the 2003 World Cup, citing a lack of communication with his fellow selectors.