New Zealand's Cory Black appointed to ICC International Umpire Panel

Cory Black of Wellington will join the list of umpires from New Zealand to be qualified to officiate men's international cricket matches.

Ahead of the 2024–25 season, Black was promoted to the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires, where he would be joining fellow umpires from New Zealand -- Wayne Knights, Shaun Haig, and Chris Brown.

The International Panel of Umpires represents the third tier in the ICC’s Umpire Pathway and consists of four umpires from each of the ICC’s 12 member nations who are eligible to officiate in home men’s and women’s ODIs, T20Is and ICC events.

The International Panel sits beneath the Emirates ICC Emerging Umpire’s Panel (Chris Brown) and the ICC’s top panel: the ICC Elite Panel (Chris Gaffaney) which consists of umpires eligible to officiate in all men’s ODIs, T20Is, Test matches and ICC events.

The promotion signifies a rapid rise through the NZC umpiring ranks for Black, who began his umpiring journey in Adelaide before relocating to New Zealand in 2016, where he joined the NZC National Reserve Panel. Black was later elevated to the NZC National Umpire Panel ahead of the 2021-22 season.

He made his First Class debut at the end of the 2021-22 season in the Plunket Shield match between Northern Districts and the Wellington Firebirds, and made his women’s international debut a year later in New Zealand’s first T20I against India at Sky Stadium.

Black has become a regular feature on the NZC home summer circuit, standing in all NZC domestic formats and women’s international matches, including New Zealand’s most recent home series’ against Pakistan and England.

NZC Head of Cricket Operations Charlie Brewer said it was exciting for NZC to have another umpire on the International Panel.

“This is a great opportunity for Cory to continue his umpiring development at the next level, and it’s thoroughly deserved based on his performances over recent seasons,” Brewer was quoted as saying by New Zealand Cricket (NZC).

“The exposure to more international appointments will enhance his skills and contribute to his ongoing development, and aligns with the aim of the NZC Umpire Selection Panel to develop greater umpiring depth at the international level.”

Brewer said Black’s appointment highlighted the growing opportunities for umpires in New Zealand and around the world.

“We have several high-performing umpires earning more appointment opportunities at international bilateral series, ICC events, and domestic T20 leagues overseas and we hope to see this continue over the coming years. Cory’s appointment will help us better manage the international workload during our home summer while supporting his ongoing development.

“We’re delighted to see more umpires progressing through the umpiring system and hope it continues to be seen as an attractive pathway.”

NZC International Umpires

Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires – Chris Gaffaney

Emirates ICC Emerging Umpire Panel – Chris Brown

Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires - Wayne Knights, Shaun Haig, Chris Brown, Cory Black

International Panel of ICC Development Umpires – Kim Cotton

Cricket, New Zealand, Cory Black, ICC, Umpires, ICC panel