Will Chris Gaffaney and Richard Illingworth Officiate the WTC Final?

Synopsis
In an exciting announcement, New Zealand's Chris Gaffaney and England's Richard Illingworth will be on-field umpires for the 2025 ICC World Test Championship final at Lord's. This event promises to be thrilling as Australia faces South Africa for the first time in the finals. Discover the details of this esteemed officiating team and their impressive accolades.
Key Takeaways
- Chris Gaffaney and Richard Illingworth appointed as umpires.
- WTC final set for June 11-15, 2025.
- Match held at Lord's in London.
- Illingworth is the first umpire to officiate all WTC finals.
- Javagal Srinath to be the match referee.
New Delhi, May 23 (NationPress) Chris Gaffaney from New Zealand and Richard Illingworth from England have been appointed as the on-field umpires for the 2025 ICC World Test Championship final, which will take place between Australia and South Africa at Lord's from June 11-15.
This eagerly awaited showdown for the coveted mace will witness defending champions Australia squaring off against first-time finalists South Africa. Illingworth has previously officiated in the 2021 and 2023 WTC finals and is the reigning ICC Umpire of the Year, having claimed the David Shepherd Trophy for the fourth time in 2024.
Gaffaney previously collaborated with Illingworth as officials during the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup final between India and South Africa in Barbados, and also served in the WTC 2023 final between India and Australia at The Oval. Illingworth is set to make history as the first umpire to officiate in all three World Test Championship finals.
Richard Kettleborough from England, renowned for officiating in numerous high-profile ICC events, including the Men's Cricket World Cup and the Champions Trophy, has been designated as the TV umpire, having previously fulfilled this role in the WTC 2021 final between India and New Zealand in Southampton.
Nitin Menon, an umpire from India, has been appointed as the fourth umpire for the 2025 WTC final. This will be Menon's first experience as a match official in a WTC final after serving as the TV umpire for the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand in Dubai. Former Indian pacer Javagal Srinath will act as the match referee.
“We are delighted to announce a highly experienced team of match officials for the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's, culminating a fiercely contested two-year cycle of Test matches globally,” stated ICC chairman Jay Shah. “We aim to select the most qualified and deserving officials for all matches, and we are confident they will excel. On behalf of the ICC, I wish them the best of luck and hope they enjoy this important assignment.”