New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS): Hockey India League (HIL) Wednesday appointed Craig Gribble as lead umpires manager for the third edition of the tournament to be held in January-February 2015.

This will be the second time that Gribble will take up the role in the tournament.

“We welcome back Craig Gribble. We are happy that he has agreed to be associated with HIL yet again this year and his presence will add the much required boost to the umpire’s line-up," HIL chief executive officer Elena Norman.

Excited at being associated with HIL once again, Gribble said: “I am extremely delighted to be connected to HIL yet again. My first year with the tournament was an excellent experience where I got an opportunity to work with the appointed umpires and officiating board and I am even more excited for my second term with them."

The 48-year-old is presently working as technical manager for Hockey New Zealand. He has been working as an international umpires manager since 2007 after retiring from international umpiring in 2006. He stood in a total of 48 Test matches from 1997 to 2006.