10 Highest Paid Umpires Cricket: These days’ umpires are always under scanner for making ruthless mistakes that cost teams’ matches, tournaments and even a World Cup final.
Who can forget the World Cup 2019 final, where a major mistake was made by an on-field umpire for awarding an extra run to England in their pursuit of maiden World Cup, and eventually that 1 run cost New Zealand the World Cup and England were declared champions by ICC boundary rule.
Now the question arises that despite huge criticism and a plethora of blunders, how are they still an essential part of the game, even when technology can easily replace them. And even more amusing is the total earning they bag from officiating cricket matches.
According to a report by Sports Eon, the umpire of ICC panel salary varies between US$ 35,000 to US$ 45,000 (if converted into INR it will range between Rs. 24 Lakhs – 35 Lakhs).
The ICC umpires also receive a match fee of USS$3000 for tests, $2000 for ODI’s and $1000 for T20. Now, these numbers also vary, it doesn’t mean the umpire can host as many matches and enhance his earning.
Usually, an ICC umpire hosts 8-10 tests in a year and 10-15 ODIs in a year, while the T20 matches’ number still fluctuates, which takes the earning figure to around $46000 ( Rs. 32 Lakhs), which excludes the annual fees.
Let’s take a look at top 10 highest paid umpires in international cricket:-
Richard Kette-Borough
Richard Kette-Borough, the man from Yorkshire started his international career in 2009, and since then the Englishman has officiated 58 tests, 83 ODI’s, and 22 T20’s so far. Looking at his excellent track record, he was given the opportunity to host World Cup 2015 final and 2017 Champions Trophy final, which dispensed weightage on his umpiring resume.
He was also awarded the Umpire of the Year in 2015. His annual earnings include:-
Yearly Fee: ₹ 25, 00,000
Test Fee per Match: ₹ 2, 00,000
ODI Fee per Match: ₹ 1, 50,000
T20I Fee per Match: ₹ 70,000
Richard Illingworth
Richard Illingworth, hailing from Yorkshire, made his international debut in 2009, and till then he has hosted 42 test matches, 65 ODI’s and 16 T20’s. His major achievements include hosting World Cup 2015 matches and was one of the on-field umpires during the first semifinal of World Cup 2019.
His annual earnings include:-
Yearly Fee: $35,000
Test Fee per Match: $3000
ODI Fee per Match: $2200
T20I Fee per Match: $ 1000
Marais Erasmus
Marais Erasmus, hailing from South Africa made his international debut in 2006 and since then he has officiated in 55 test matches, 90 ODI’s and 26 T20 matches. His annual earnings include:-
Yearly Fee: $35,000
Test Fee per Match: $3000
ODI Fee per Match: $2200
T20I Fee per Match: $ 1000
Kumar Dharmasena
Kumar Dharamsena, the former Sri Lankan cricketer-turned ICC umpire is an emblem of innovation and dedication. From discovering doosra to making hawkeye decisions during the match, he is among the most successful ICC umpires in modern times.
He made his international debut in World Cup 2011 and since then, has hosted 60 tests, 103 ODI’s and 22 T20 matches. His annual earnings include:-
Yearly Fee: $35,000
Test Fee per Match: $3000
ODI Fee per Match: $2200
T20I Fee per Match: $ 1000
Ian Gould
Ian Gould, hailing from Buckinghamshire, has been one of the finest international umpires in the last decade. He made his debut in 2006 and since then, he has hosted 74 tests, 140 ODI’s and 37 T20 matches. His annual earnings include:-
Yearly Fee: $35,000
Test Fee per Match: $3000
ODI Fee per Match: $2200
T20I Fee per Match: $ 1000
Bruce Oxenford
Bruce Oxenford is a former Australian cricketer and ICC cricket umpire, who made his debut in 2008 and since then he has hosted 55 tests, 95ODI’s and 20 T20 matches. His annual earnings include:-
Yearly Fee: $35,000
Test Fee per Match: $3000
ODI Fee per Match: $2200
T20I Fee per Match: $ 1000
Paul Reffiel
Paul Reiffel is a former Australian cricketer, who was the main bowling spearhead during the late nineties. During his 7-year-long international career, he has played 35 Tests and 92 One Day Internationals.
Post-retirement, he shifted his focus to umpiring and is currently a member of the elite panel of ICC umpires. He made his international debut in 2009 and since then, he has hosted 43 tests, 68 ODI’s and 16 T20 matches.
His annual earnings include:-
Yearly Fee: $45,000
Test Fee per Match: $3000
ODI Fee per Match: $2200
T20I Fee per Match: $ 1000
Nigel LIong
Nigel Llong is a former first-class English cricketer and is now a member of the Elite Panel of ICC umpires. He made his international debut in 2006 and ever since he has hosted 56 tests, 128 ODI’s and 32 T20 ODI’s. He secures his place at 3rd position in the list.
His annual earnings include:-
Yearly Fee: $45,000
Test Fee per Match: $3000
ODI Fee per Match: $2200
T20I Fee per Match: $ 1000
Billy Bowden
Billy Bowden, the New Zealand umpire with a crooking finger, is one of the greatest umpires to have officiated the game in the history of cricket. He made his international debut in 2005, and since then he has hosted 84 tests, 200 ODI’s and 24 T20’s till date.
His annual earnings include:-
Yearly Fee: $45,000
Test Fee per Match: $3000
ODI Fee per Match: $2200
T20I Fee per Match: $ 1000
Aleem Dar
Aleem Dar, the Pakistan cricket umpire, and former first-class cricketer is one of the all-time greats to have officiated the game. In 2004, he became the first Pakistan umpire to be included in the members of the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires.
He made his international debut in 2001 and has gone on to host 126 tests, 206 ODI’s and 43 T20’s till date.
His annual earnings include:-
Yearly Fee: $45,000
Test Fee per Match: $3000
ODI Fee per Match: $2200
T20I Fee per Match: $ 1000
