David Boon to Become ICC Match Referee

Hobart: Former Test opening batsman David Boon has been appointed an International Cricket Council match referee and will quit his job as an Australian selector.

Boon's first match as a referee will be in Zimbabwe for the Pakistan tour of September. He replaces fellow Australian Alan Hurst, who will step down in July after seven years as a match referee, the ICC said in a statement on Tuesday.

The 50-year-old Boon, who played 107 Tests and 181 one-day internationals for Australia between 1984 and 1996, will also resign as a member of the Cricket Tasmania board to take up the new appointment.

"I am excited with this appointment as it provides me with another opportunity to stay involved with this great sport," Boon said in the ICC statement.

A stocky right-hander with an array of powerful shots and a casual attitude to authority, Boon scored more than 7,400 Test runs at an average of 43 and almost 6,000 one-day runs at 37. He was also an accomplished fielder.

"Having played first-class cricket for nearly two decades and having been involved in marketing, cricket administration and national selection matters, I think I bring a lot of experience to the group which includes some of the most respected names in the sport," Boon said.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as an Australian selector - it has been a great privilege to be involved at the national level. Naturally as an ICC match referee I will have to step down from the selection panel."

ICC Umpires and Referees Manager Vince Van Der Bijl said Hurst had been an outstanding official whose leadership and passion for cricket would be missed.

"We welcome David Boon to the elite panel, Van Der Bijl said."He has already served the game so well as an international cricketer of repute and standing, a national vice-captain, a national selector and administrator.

"We look forward to working with David and have no doubt that he will make a strong and important contribution to ensuring that the game is played and officiated in a manner befitting to great spirit."