Umpire Ian Robinson retires to take up ICC role by ICC Media Release

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Player:

ID Robinson

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DateLine: 18th September 2008

 

Emirates International Panelist Ian Robinson has announced his retirement from top-level umpiring to concentrate full-time on his new role as ICC Regional Umpires’ Performance Manager (RUPM) for the Africa region.

 

Robinson began umpiring in 1975 after a recurring back injury had prematurely ended his playing career. He was appointed to Zimbabwe ’s first-class panel in 1978 and has been a member of that panel now for a record-breaking 31 seasons.

 

He was appointed to the first international panel, which was established in 1994, and is a veteran of 28 Tests and 90 ODIs. He stood in three consecutive ICC Cricket World Cups (1992, 1996 and 1999) as well as a number of other international tournaments and bilateral series all over the world.

 

His expertise and experience will not be lost to the world of umpiring, however. He was recently appointed as one of five RUPMs and he will have particular responsibility for the Africa region.

 

He said: “Following my appointment as an ICC Regional Umpires Performance Manager, it has become clear that I will not be able to continue as a member of the ICC International Panel. It is, therefore, with regret and enormous pride, that I am closing this chapter of my cricket life, so as to be fully effective in my new role.”

 

In paying tribute to Robinson’s contribution, ICC’s Umpires’ and Referees’ Manager Vince van der Bijl said: “Ian has given a huge part of his life to cricket and, in particular, to umpiring the game. He is an enormously popular figure within cricket and an excellent umpire so his on-field influence will be missed by players, spectators and other match officials.

 

“It is great, though, that Ian will still be heavily involved in the game and I have no doubt that his knowledge and enthusiasm will help to develop and nurture the next generation of top-level umpires from Africa,” he said.