FORMER Yorkshire batsman Richard Kettleborough was named on the ICC’s Elite Panel of umpires earlier this week, becoming the youngest member of the 12-man panel at the age of 38.
Kettleborough came through the ranks at the Collegiate Club in his home town of Sheffield, the same club as Michael Vaughan and current White Rose batsman Joe Root.
The former left-hander has umpired in two Tests and will stand in Yorkshire’s LV= County Championship match against Sussex at Hove, starting tomorrow, heightening the prospect of having to give Root out, who he has known since he was three or four-years-old.
Kettleborough, who also played for Middlesex during a six-year career, is contracted to 80 days of international cricket per year from July 1.
He added: “When I started umpiring in 2002, the goal was to get to the top. It’s gone very well since then. I tried to do it as a player and never managed it, but I went into umpiring with that same goal in mind. I’m absolutely delighted.”
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