Taufel [file pic] has signed a two-year deal with BCB. © Getty Bangladesh Cricket Board’s newly-appointed umpires education consultant Simon Taufel said on Saturday (September 13) that he is looking to create and support a better environment for umpires and referees during his tenure. Taufel, a former ICC Elite Panel umpire, signed a two-year deal with BCB. He landed from India in the morning and later came to BCB headquarters at Mirpur to discuss his plans. He will kick off by overseeing the quality of the local umpiring in the upcoming National Cricket League (NCL) T20 which begins on Sunday (September 14) across three venues. “I’m humbled to be part of that process going forward for the next couple of years. I’m here to help, I’m here to create and support a better environment for umpires and referees to be able to explore their potential – to be able to grow, develop, to serve Bangladesh cricket, to improve the standard of domestic cricket and make sure that they are going to be the best that they can be,” Taufel said in his introductory speech. “There’s a lot of work to be involved in doing that. We need to identify talent, we need to set some minimum standards. We need to create a system of transparency, of certainty, of meritocracy, to see the right umpires and referees go forward – to, like Sykat, to position themselves for international honours. We want to see the best match officials come out of this part of the world and explore their talents and contribute to international cricket,” he said. Taufel noted that the development project will take time and urged everyone to be patient in order to produce good umpires and match officials. The Australian said that India is reaping the benefit of developing a project with umpires keeping the future in mind. “We’re looking forward to the next couple of years. That work starts today. I’d ask that everyone be patient, respectful and supportive in that process. It’s going to take some time, but that’s okay. It starts today,” said Taufel. “Having worked with the BCCI system for 10 years plus previously, we saw a long period where there wasn’t an elite panel umpire from India. S. Ravi was one of those people who came through that system, followed by Nitin Menon. It takes 10 years to become an overnight success. It’s a long journey, and it’s one that has to be supported both on and off the field – a long time, a long time. “So we’re making a start today. Now, I’m not saying it’s going to take another 10 years to see another elite panel umpire from Bangladesh, but that’s the type of commitment that’s required. But Saikat (Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid) deserves a lot of credit for that perseverance, dedication, resilience – to keep going, to keep going. “Not only is Saikat a role model, because he’s currently on the ICC elite panel of umpires, but he’s also an example of resilience, determination, perseverance. And I think that should be a message that is seen by a lot of other umpires, both male and female. “One of the things that we’ve got to do here is provide more access, more opportunities to both male and female umpires, but also to the referees. Saikat is a testament to that system. I’m hoping he’s not the last,” he added. Simon’s illustrious career spans 74 Tests, 174 ODIs, and 34 T20Is, including key ICC events and the Ashes. Saikat welcomed Taufel in the Bangladesh set-up. “I don’t know if many people are aware, but I made my ODI debut alongside him in my first two matches. I’ve always said that I am a big admirer of him. He wasn’t just an umpire – he has been working for many years on umpire education. Even though we’ve been doing quite well in umpiring recently, I hope this progress continues with Simon. We hope to see more elite umpires in the future,” said Saikat. “It takes a lot of time to produce an elite umpire. There are no shortcuts here. It takes resilience, determination – and above all, we need to change our mindset. Respect for umpires is a bit lacking here. We are a very cricketer-oriented nation. But seeing what the cricket board is doing now, I believe there will be improvement in this regard too. “We need to dream. I am not the last one to be on the elite panel – many more elite panel umpires will come. When we work as a team, when there is structure and education, more elite panel umpires will emerge. If we can get the system in place, we will have many more elite umpires in the future.”
