In Pallekele on Monday, Javagal Srinath, a former Indian pacer who is now a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, will officiate his 250th men’s One Day International. Former India fast bowler Srinath was a member of the squad that advanced to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final in 2003, finishing with 236 wickets in 67 Test matches and 315 wickets in 229 ODIs. Three years later, according to an ICC press release, he was appointed as a match referee.
Srinath, who will become the fourth to reach the milestone of 250 ODIs as a match referee after Ranjan Madugalle, Chris Broad and Jeff Crowe, said he was privileged to have officiated in so many matches.
Javagal Srinath: “It feels great to be reaching this milestone as a match referee. It has been 17 years on the circuit for me and quite unbelievable that I have now officiated in more ODIs than I played.”
“I am privileged to be still associated with the game. I have had a wonderful run since my international debut as match referee in a Test match between Sri Lanka and South Africa in Colombo back in 2006 and will strive to do my best in the coming years,” he added.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the ICC, the BCCI, my colleagues on the Elite Panel as well as near and dear ones who have been with me through this journey,” concluded Srinath.