Double ton for ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle

Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates Elite Panel of International Cricket Council (ICC) match referees achieved a rare feat Friday when he became the first person to officiate in 200 one-day internationals (ODIs).

It is the first time any match referee has reached that milestone and he has taken charge of 67 ODIs more than the next most experienced ICC match referee, Clive Lloyd, who has officiated in 133.

As a player Madugalle represented Sri Lanka in 21 Test matches and 65 ODIs between 1979 and 1989. He was captain from 1987 to 1989 and served two spells as a national selector in his home country. He was appointed to the ICC match referees panel in 1994 and became the first person to hold the position of chief match referee in 2001, a post he still occupies.

He has taken charge of two cricket World Cup finals, in 1999 and 2003, as well as 94 Test matches, and is one of the most experienced and highly respected officials in the game.

Before the World Cup match between Ireland and England at Guyana National Stadium Friday, ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed made a presentation to Madugalle in recognition of his enormous contribution to the game.

"I am happy that I have been able to discharge my duties in a professional way for the past few years," said Madugalle.

"It has been a fascinating experience graduating from being a player to being a match official and it has been great to work with different umpires, top captains and everyone involved with this great game," he said.

ICC President Percy Sonn said: "I would like to congratulate Ranjan on reaching this milestone."

"Ranjan has always been a great ambassador for cricket, both in the way that he played the game and now as our chief referee. There can be no doubt that he is one of the most respected figures within the game," he said.

"I would like to thank him for all his hard work and excellent judgment he has demonstrated since becoming a referee in 1994 and I hope he stays with us for many more years to come," said Sonn.

The current Emirates Elite Panel of ICC match referees:

Referee Tests ODIs

Chris Broad 23 86

Jeff Crowe 17 69

Alan Hurst 11 37

Clive Lloyd 53 133

Ranjan Madugalle 94 200

Roshan Mahanama 13 66

Mike Procter 41 127

Javagal Srinath 4 13

(IANS)

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