Kettleborough reaches 100-Test umpiring milestone
The International Cricket Council (ICC) have congratulated Richard Kettleborough of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires on reaching a major career milestone, standing as an on-field umpire in his 100th Test during the third ICC World Test Championship fixture between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town on Tuesday.
The 53-year-old becomes only the fifth umpire to reach the milestone, joining Aleem Dar (145 Tests), Steve Bucknor (128), Rudi Koertzen (108) and Rod Tucker (102) in the 100-Test club.
Richard Kettleborough during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup India 2023 Final between India and Australia (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Reflecting on the achievement, Kettleborough expressed his gratitude to the ICC, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and his colleagues for their continued support throughout his career.
“I am grateful to the ICC and ECB for their continued support, to my colleagues on the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and Referees for their friendship and encouragement," he said.
“To my dad and aunt who are sadly no longer with us, I know how proud you would have been, to my children Millie, Jack and Alfie and to loved ones, I wish you could all be here. This milestone is as much yours as it is mine, I look forward to seeing you all soon and to many more rewarding years in the game.”
Kettleborough made his international umpiring debut in a T20I between England and Australia at Old Trafford in 2009. He officiated in his first Test in Galle in November 2010, during the match between Sri Lanka and the West Indies.
Richard Kettleborough signals six in his first International in 2009 (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Before beginning his umpiring career, Kettleborough played 33 first-class matches for Middlesex and Yorkshire between 1994 and 1999 in the English County Championship. He was included in the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) panel of umpires in 2006 and was named in the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in May 2011, becoming its youngest member at the time.
The 53-year-old has also officiated in 114 ODIs, 46 T20Is, four Women’s ODIs and four Women’s T20Is.
Kettleborough’s 100th Test as an on-field umpire marks a significant milestone in an international career that has spanned more than 15 years at the highest level of the game.
Kettleborough’s record at global ICC events:
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup: 2011, 2015 (including the final), 2019 and 2023 (including the final).
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: 2012, 2014 (including the final), 2016, 2021 (including the final), 2022, 2024 (final as TV umpire) and 2026.
ICC Men’s Champions Trophy: 2013, 2017 (including the final) and 2025.
ICC World Test Championship Final: 2021 and 2023, serving as TV umpire on both occasions.