Former Zimbabwe captain Andy Pycroft has become just the fourth person to officiate in 100 men's Test matches as a match referee.Pycroft, who played three Tests and 20 ODIs for Zimbabwe between 1983 and 1992, achieved the milestone during the ongoing Boxing Day Test between Australia and India at the MCG when he joined a group of three match referees to have previously reached the mark, according to an ICC report on Thursday.
Ex-Sri Lanka batter Ranjan Madugalle has filled the role the most times in men's Test matches having stood as match referee on a total of 225 occasions.while New Zealander Jeff Crowe (125 times) and former England opener Chris Broad (123) were the only other people to have reached triple figures until today.Pycroft, who has also officiated in 238 Men’s ODIs, 174 Men’s T20Is and 21 Women’s T20Is since 2009, said he has enjoyed every minute of the journey to 100 matches as a match referee.
“It has been a great honour and pleasure being on the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees over the years, and to have been afforded the opportunity to officiate all over the world, embracing different cultures," he said.“I would like to thank the ICC for its support, my fellow Match Officials, past and present, for their professionalism and friendship, and my wife, Karen, and my family, for their encouragement and tolerance.“It has been a rewarding journey, and I have treasured every moment of it.” (UNI)<>