NSWCUSA Trio Elevated on 2022-23 CA Umpire Panels

Three NSWCUSA members have received promotions from Cricket Australia in their 2022-23 contracted umpire panels, which were announced earlier today.

Simon Lightbody and Ben Treloar have been promoted to the National Panel, which returns to a 12-person group, whilst Sharad Patel has been selected on the Supplementary Panel.

NSW State Umpiring Manager Darren Goodger congratulated the elevated trio on their selection.

“This is outstanding news and deserved recognition for both Simon and Ben. They have worked so hard to earn this promotion and we wish them well. It takes a long time to become an overnight success.

“Sharad deserves this opportunity following his commitment to excellence, dedication and strong performances in recent seasons. We thank him for his exemplary contribution as a member of the State Umpire Panel.”

For Lightbody, it is a return to the National Panel having previously been a member of the group for two seasons from 2017 to 2019.

In the three seasons since as a member of the Supplementary Panel, he officiated in two national finals, three Sheffield Shield matches and four One-Day Cup fixtures as well as 12 BBL and 21 in the WBBL.

Treloar is elevated to the National Panel for the first time, having been a member of the Supplementary Panel for the previous five seasons.

In that time he has overseen three Sheffield Shield matches, four One-Day Cup fixtures, two WNCL Finals, seven BBL matches and 16 WBBL matches – including the 2019-20 Final.

Joining Lightbody and Treloar on the National Panel next season will be NSW-trio Gerard Abood, Greg Davidson and Paul Wilson – with Tony Wilds opting to step away after five seasons with the group.

Goodger also paid tribute to Wilds’ contribution to Australian cricket.

“He has been a selfless team member, respected for his ability, match management and people skills, his preparation, composure and his willingness to share experience to benefit others.

“It is the humble, strong and unselfish manner in which Tony has gone about his work which has earned him such respect among his colleagues. We acknowledge Tony, his exceptional contribution and wish him the very best, hoping he will choose to remain involved in cricket in some capacity.”

During his time officiating CA competitions, Wilds umpired 16 women’s internationals (seven ODIs and nine T20Is), 23 Sheffield Shield matches, 15 One-Day Cup matches and 52 BBL fixtures – as well as two WNCL Finals.

A two-time winner of the George Borwick Memorial Award, Sharad Patel’s elevation to the Supplementary Panel comes after three seasons on the NSW State Umpire Panel which has seen him involved in WBBL, WNCL and Second XI competitions.

Last month he umpired the U19 Male National Championships Final in Mackay and was appointed to the Men’s Premier Cricket Second Grade Final in Sydney.

Joining him on the Supplementary Panel from NSW will be Troy Penman, Claire Polosak and David Taylor – who returns to Sydney this summer after six years living and umpiring in Queensland.

The full 2022-23 Cricket Australia Umpire Panels are as follows:

CA National Umpire Panel

• Gerard Abood
• Shawn Craig (Victoria)
• Greg Davidson
• Phil Gillespie (Victoria)
• Mike Graham-Smith (Tasmania)
• Nathan Johnstone (Western Australia)
• Donovan Koch (Queensland)
• Simon Lightbody
• Sam Nogajski (Tasmania)
• Bruce Oxenford (Queensland)
• Ben Treloar
• Paul Wilson

CA Supplementary Umpire Panel

• Stephen Dionysius (Queensland)
• Sharad Patel
• Troy Penman
• Claire Polosak
• Eloise Sheridan (South Australia)
• David Taylor

CA International Panel Umpires

• Phil Gillespie (Victoria)
• Donovan Koch (Queensland)
• Sam Nogajski (Tasmania)
• Paul Wilson

Photo // Two-time George Borwick Memorial Award winner Sharad Patel with four-time winner Ben Treloar (Steven Smith)