By RICHARD BOOCK
New Zealand umpires are unlikely to stand in home tests from the end of next season.
And they may have limited opportunities to be appointed at all under a new system to be introduced by the International Cricket Council.
A proposal to develop an elite panel of eight full-time contracted umpires to stand in most test matches could be operating by April next year, says the ICC.
At present, independent test match umpires are selected from a 20-strong panel nominated by all test-playing countries except Bangladesh.
One neutral umpire and one home umpire stand in each match.
The new system would involve a flying squad of the world's best umpires. They would qualify for the panel on the basis of merit, seniority, status and - not least - marks awarded by test captains.
One of the biggest changes would be that two neutral umpires would stand at each venue.
Another group of up to 30 emerging umpires would be groomed to eventually join the elite panel.
Brian Aldridge, New Zealand's national umpiring manager, said that it would be more difficult for New Zealanders to be appointed to tests. It was sad that umpires would be deprived of standing in their own country.
But for the good of the game the alterations were needed, he said.
"From my point of view you have to feel sympathy for the local umpires who may not get the chance to stand in their own country, and who may find it more difficult to be appointed to tests.
"But it's probably in the best interests of the game," Aldridge said.
"We're in a professional environment now, and anything you can do to cut down error or perceived error must be good for cricket."
Cricket: Home tests ruled out for umpires
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