Roly Breaks Record
The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently announced the Match Official appointments for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Notably, Roly Black from the North West region has made history by becoming the first umpire based in Ireland selected for a T20 World Cup.
Roly Black’s Exciting Announcement
At 54 years old, Roly Black expressed his delight upon receiving the news. While umpiring in a T10 franchise competition in Abu Dhabi, he received a call from Phil Thompson, the Match Officials Manager of Cricket Ireland, who delivered the thrilling news. Roly reflected, “I was really over the moon.”
Career Background and Ambitions
Roly Black has been officiating since 2006 and secured a full-time contract with Cricket Ireland in 2019. Over the years, he has steadily climbed the professional ranks. He hopes to use his platform to advance the opportunities available for Irish umpires.
“I see it as my responsibility for the next couple of years to try and open new doors,” Roly stated. He aims to define and clarify the officiating pathways within Ireland and elevate standards.
The Importance of Support
Roly attributes much of his success to his family. “Without the support of my wife and children, this journey wouldn’t have been possible,” he said, acknowledging the sacrifices made during his rise in the sport.
He also emphasized the impact of camaraderie with fellow umpires. On remembering the late Paul Reynolds, Roly shared that he frequently thinks of him. “He’ll be looking down,” he assured, as he prepares for his debut at the World Cup.
Match Officials for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
The ICC has appointed a diverse group of umpires and match referees for the event:
Match Referees
- Dean Cosker
- David Gilbert
- Ranjan Madugalle
- Andrew Pycroft
- Richie Richardson
- Javagal Srinath
Umpires
- Roly Black
- Chris Brown
- Kumar Dharmasena
- Chris Gaffaney
- Adrian Holdstock
- Richard Illingworth
- Richard Kettleborough
- Wayne Knights
- Donovan Koch
- Jayaraman Madanagopal
- Nitin Menon
- Sam Nogajski
- KNA Padmanabhan
- Allahuddien Paleker
- Ahsan Raza
- Leslie Reifer
- Paul Reiffel
- Langton Rusere
- Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid
- Gazi Sohel
- Rodney Tucker
- Alex Wharf
- Raveendra Wimalasiri
- Asif Yaqoob
Upcoming T20 World Cup Details
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is set to commence on 7 February 2026, hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Roly Black’s selection marks a significant milestone for Irish cricket, paving the way for future umpires in the region.
