top cricket umpires in the world

A champion off spinner in his heydays, Venkat, as he was fondly called, went on to become an established cricket umpire after his playing days. Venkats claim to fame was his quick decision making and an analytical mind. A bowler of repute himself, he translated it while making his calls.

A relatively latecomer into the field, Venkat stood in his first match, an India v England ODI in 1993, Venkat was a part of the Elite panel right until his retirement in 2004. A part of the famous spin quartet in the 1970s, Venkat, sadly has been the only Indian to be recognized worldwide as an efficient umpire. For his services to the game, Venkatraghavan was conferred with the Padma Shri award in 2003.

He was born in Bangalore. He was an umpire in first class cricket from 1956 to 1981. He umpired the final of the Ranji Trophy the four times 1963 4, 1966 7, 1970 1, 1975 6 and also the finals of the Duleep Trophy four times 1964 65, and three years running, 1971 2, 1972 3, and 1973 4.He stood in 17 Test matches between 1960 and 1979, setting an Indian record subsequently equaled by Swaroop Kishen in 1984 and then surpassed by VK Ramaswamy 26 matches between 1985 and 1999 and Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan 73 matches between 1993 and 2004. All of the Test matches he umpired were played in India.

He first stood as a Test umpire in the 3rd Test between India and Pakistan at Eden Gardens in Calcutta in December 1960, with Santosh Ganguli. His last Test as an umpire was the 6th Test between India and West Indies at Modi Stadium in Kanpur in February 1979, with P. R. Punjabi.

Narayan Sane 4 February 1909 10 April 2002 was an Indian cricket umpire. He stood in two Test matches in 1960.Sane was also a first class cricketer. He made one appearance for Maharashtra the played seven matches for the Central Provinces and Berar cricket team.

Javed Akhtar born November 21, 1940 in Delhi, India is a former Pakistani cricketer who played in one Test in 1962. An off spinner, he had success at first class level, taking his wickets at an average of 18.17, but struggled in his only Test, failing to take a wicket.He later became an umpire, standing in 18 Tests and 40 ODIs from 1980 to 1999.

Brian Leslie Aldridge QSM born 30 June 1940 in Christchurch, New Zealand is a retired professional cricket player and professional cricket umpire, and the National Umpiring Manager for New Zealand cricket. He was one of the umpires in the 1992 Cricket World Cup final between England and Pakistan.Aldridge was awarded the Queens Service Medal in the 2012 New Year Honours, for services to cricket administration.He stood in 26 Test matches and 45 ODI games between 1986 and 1995.

George Allsop 4 January 1864 27 March 1927 played first class cricket for Transvaal between 1890 91 and 1897 98, and also stood as an umpire in one cricket Test match in 1895 96.He was born at Houghton, Hampshire, England and died at Johannesburg, South Africa.

Amiesh Maheshbhai Saheba born 15 November 1959 in Ahmedabad is an Indian cricket umpire and former cricketer. He played as a batsman for Gujarat.He stood in his first Test match as an umpire on 12 Dec 2008. He has officiated in 51 One Day Internationals, 4 Twenty20s and 3 Test Matches.

Herbert George Baldwin was a cricketer and test match umpire.Born in 1893 in Hampshire, Baldwin played 33 games for Surrey as a right handed batsman and occasional leg break bowler with modest returns, although he was a noted fielder in the covers.He umpired in first class cricket for nearly three decades, including nine Tests after the war up until 1953. He called 19 no balls in 3 overs in Australias match against Worcestershire in 1938 when fast bowler Ernie McCormick lost his run up.

S. R. Bose born 1 November 1930 is a former Indian cricket umpire. He stood in one Test match, India vs. Pakistan, in 1983 and two ODI games between 1983 and 1984.

Noshirvan Nagarwala 10 October 1909 10 September 1998 was an Indian cricket umpire. He stood in five Test matches between 1952 and 1960.In the 1930s, Nagarwala appeared in 11 first class matches as a player, with Maharashtra, Parsees and Dr HD Kangas Parsees XI.