Kettleborough and Illingworth join elite umpires

The English umpires, Richard Kettleborough and Richard Illingworth, have been promoted to the ICC International Panel with immediate effect.

Kettleborough and Illingworth, who joined the ECB's first-class umpires list in 2006, will join their county colleagues Nigel Llong and Ian Gould on the International Panel. Llong has stood in six Test matches since joining the panel four seasons ago and will officiate in the forthcoming India v Sri Lanka Test series.

Kettleborough, a 36-year-old former Yorkshire batsman, joins as an on-field umpire after making his ODI debut in the recent NatWest Series between England and Australia. Illingworth, who played in nine Tests as well as the 1992 World Cup final, has also been appointed to the International Panel as a third umpire.

Chris Kelly, ECB's Umpires' Manager, said: "We are delighted that three of our first-class umpires have been nominated to serve on the International Panel. These appointments demonstrate the depth of umpiring talent within county cricket and reflect the excellent progress both umpires have made over the past four seasons."