The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made significant changes to its Elite Panel of Umpires for the 2025-26 season, removing Michael Gough and Joel Wilson, while welcoming Alex Wharf from England and Allahuddien Paleker from South Africa. These changes come as part of the ICC’s routine performance-assessment process.
New Faces on the Elite Panel
Alex Wharf, a former England cricketer who played 13 ODIs between 2004 and 2005, has been rewarded for his consistent performances as an umpire. To date, he has officiated in 7 Tests, 33 ODIs, and 45 T20Is in men’s international cricket. Wharf was also part of the umpiring team during major ICC tournaments, including the 2024 Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE.
Expressing his gratitude, Wharf said:
“This milestone would not have been possible without the amazing colleagues who have shared their expertise with me and those who have supported me both on and off the field. I look forward to continuing to learn and work alongside them as I embark on this exciting new chapter in my career.”
Allahuddien Paleker, a former South African first-class cricketer, brings extensive officiating experience across all formats. He has stood in 4 Tests, 23 ODIs, and 67 T20Is in men’s cricket, along with 17 women’s internationals. Paleker was also part of the officiating teams for the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup and the 2024 Under-19 Men’s World Cup.
Reflecting on his appointment, Paleker remarked:
“This is a significant moment in my umpiring career. Being named in the elite panel is an honor, and I look forward to repaying the faith shown in me. Being on this panel brings both pride and responsibility, but I am confident that my experience officiating across formats will stand me in good stead.”
ICC Elite Panel of Umpires (2025-26)
The updated ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for the 2025-26 season includes:
- Kumara Dharmasena (Sri Lanka)
- Chris Gaffaney (New Zealand)
- Adrian Holdstock (South Africa)
- Richard Illingworth (England)
- Richard Kettleborough (England)
- Nitin Menon (India)
- Allahuddien Paleker (South Africa)
- Ahsan Raza (Pakistan)
- Paul Reiffel (Australia)
- Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid (Bangladesh)
- Rod Tucker (Australia)
- Alex Wharf (England)
Acknowledging Departures
ICC chair Jay Shah thanked Michael Gough and Joel Wilson for their contributions to the game while welcoming Paleker and Wharf to the panel.
“Being an elite official brings with it scrutiny and pressure, but we are confident that both Allahuddien and Alex possess the temperament, experience, and skill to deliver consistently at the highest level,” Shah said.
The Elite Panel is the highest tier of umpires in international cricket, responsible for officiating the sport’s most significant matches, including World Cups and major ICC events. The inclusion of Wharf and Paleker reflects their growing reputations and dedication to maintaining the highest standards of umpiring.
