Mitch Claydon Elevated to State Panel

Cricket NSW have confirmed the NSW State Umpire Panel for season 2023-24, with Mitch Claydon elevated to the panel for the first time.

He joins the State Panel after three seasons as a member of the NSW Men’s Premier Cricket First Grade Panel, where he has performed strongly.

Claydon brings to the panel a vast amount of cricket experience, with 375 professional matches as a player across 18 seasons in the UK and in recent years has worked as an assistant coach with the Sydney Sixers and Cricket NSW pathways.

State Umpiring Manager Darren Goodger praised Claydon in announcing the appointment, “Mitch loves the game and has taken to umpiring superbly. He is committed, a team player, always thoroughly prepared, is a strong and consistent decision maker.

“He has earned the respect of players for his outstanding people and match management skills. Mitch is respected by his colleagues who appreciate his ability and genuine willingness to share his cricket experience.”

Claydon made his men’s First Grade debut in Round 14 of the 2019-20 season in a fixture between Sydney University and St George.

He has since accumulated a tally of 38 matches in First Grade, amongst a total of 63 Men’s Premier Cricket fixtures, including the men’s Fourth Grade Final in 2022-23.

In previous seasons he has attended Cricket Australia underage national championships – including the U17 male carnival last season, where he was appointed to the Final.

Claydon has been selected to attend this season’s U19 Male National Championships, to be held in Albury from November 30 – December 7.

He was on-field making his women’s List A debut today at Cricket Central Oval as New South Wales defeated Queensland in the season-opening WNCL fixture.

David Gilbert, who has recently been promoted to the International Panel of ICC Match Referees, was today’s Match Referee whilst Janelle Carew and Sue Woodhouse scored today’s match.

Claydon was joined in the middle by experienced State Panel colleague Andrew Hamilton, on-field in his 22nd women’s List A match, with the pair also appointed to Sunday’s match between the same teams also at Cricket Central on Sunday.

The full Cricket NSW State Umpire Panel for season 2023-24 is as follows:

• Mitch Claydon
• Andrew Hamilton
• Roberto Howard
• Daniel Moran
• Bede Sajowitz