St. John's (Antigua), July 11 (IANS): The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has hailed the imminent Test debut of Trinidadian umpire Joel Wilson and said his elevation to the highest level should act as an inspiration for other regional officials.
Wilson, 48, was recently named by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to stand in the first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa in Chittagong later this month. He is the first umpire from West Indies in 15 years to make his Test debut, reports CMC.
"Joel has worked very hard to create this opportunity for himself and we're delighted that he has been given the chance to show what he has developed over the last six years. There's nothing more rewarding for players - or match officials for that matter - than being given the opportunity to perform at the highest level in any sport and we are confident that Joel will make the most of this opportunity," said Rawl Lewis, WICB's project officer of cricket operations.
"Joel's appointment to appear in a Test is also an incentive for the current umpires on the regional panel and others to follow that there are opportunities for them to advance in this profession with commitment to the role and consistency in their field work."
Wilson got his breakthrough earlier this year when he was named to stand in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. And with his elevation to Test duty, Wilson said he had achieved one of the major goals in his umpiring career, and praised both the ICC and the WICB for aiding his progress.
"When I started umpiring 20 years ago, this was obviously, one of my goals and to see it come true is really amazing. Over the last 12-18 months, the ICC has put a system in place where there is an umpires' coach, a number of mentors and access to elite umpires and a group of us in the Caribbean have been utilising these facilities and it has benefited us as it has helped us to prepare better for matches," he said.
"One of the best things happening in West Indies cricket right now is our umpiring. Umpiring was put under a particular structure under the previous WICB Director of Cricket Tony Howard about five years ago that allowed us to see a pathway to the top."
Wilson will stand alongside England's Richard Kettleborough in the Test which bowls off on July 21.