Ahead of the IND vs NZ World Cup semifinal on November 15, the ICC has announced the match officials for the high-octane encounter. Richard Illingworth and Rod Tucker have been picked as the standing umpires for the first semifinal of the World Cup 2023. The Indian cricket fans were elated after getting to know that Richard Kettleborough will not officiate in the IND vs NZ semi-final.
For those who are unfamiliar, Kettleborough has been the on-field umpire for all of India’s losses in World Cups (T20 and ODI). Since 2014, the English umpire has been present in all of India’s five losses in the knockout stage. This also includes India’s heartbreaking loss to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup.
However, after Illingworth and Tucker were announced as on-field umpires, Indian fans breathed a sigh of relief.
Checkout some of the reactions:
Match Officials for IND vs NZ semifinal
Match Details: India v New Zealand, 15 November 15, Mumbai
On-field Umpires: Richard Illingworth and Rod Tucker
Third Umpire: Joel Wilson
Fourth Umpire: Adrian Holdstock
Match Referee: Andy Pycroft
ICC manager of umpires and referees Sean Easey congratulated the match officials for their efforts, saying, “We are happy to announce the match officials for the semifinals of the World Cup. The officiating team has performed to a high standard to this point of the event, and I wish those in the knockouts all the very best.
