As cricket fans gear up for the final showdown between Australia and hosts India in the much-awaited World Cup 2023 final, the International Cricket Council Friday revealed the match officials for the all-important final scheduled to take place on Sunday (November 19).
Five-time ODI World Cup winners Australia are looking for their sixth title and are set to lock horns with two-time winners India, who are eyeing their first ICC trophy since 2013, in the much-anticipated final in Ahmedabad where more than 100,000 spectators are expected to watch the showdown between two powerhouses.
England’s Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleborough will fulfil their duties as on-field umpires in the final match at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi stadium.
This is the second ODI World Cup final for Kettleborough, who previously officiated in the final of the 2015 Cricket World Cup along with Sri Lanka’s Kumar Dharmasena.
However, Sunday’s showdown is likely to surpass the 2015 World Cup final — attended by more than 93,000 spectators — as the Ahmedabad venue is capable of accommodating 132,000 spectators.
Meanwhile, for Illingworth, it will also be his second appearance in a World Cup final, although his first as a match official. He was a player in the 1992 Cricket World Cup final.
Both the umpires were elevated to the ICC International List on the same day in November 2009 and officiated as on-field umpires during the semi-finals this week; Illingworth oversaw India’s win over New Zealand in Mumbai, while Kettleborough presided over Australia’s thrilling victory against South Africa in Kolkata.
Illingworth and Kettleborough have had illustrious careers with both officials receiving the David Shepherd Trophy, presented to the ICC’s Umpire of the Year.
Kettleborough secured this award three consecutive times between 2013 and 2015, while Illingworth earned it in 2019 and 2022.
Joining them as officials for the crucial final on Sunday is Joel Wilson as the third umpire, Chris Gaffaney as the fourth umpire, and match referee Andy Pycroft — all of whom were amongst the officials who officiated the semi-finals as well.