David Boon to become ICC match referee

Former Australian batsman David Boon will quit his job as Australian national selector to replace his retiring compatriot Alan Hurst on the ICC Emirates Elite Panel of Match Referees in July.

"The ICC today announced that former Australia batsman David Boon will replace compatriot Alan Hurst on the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees after Mr Hurst announced his retirement, effective from the conclusion of his upcoming assignments in England," the ICC said in a statement.

The 50-year-old Boon's international career spanned from 1984 to 1996.

He played 107 Tests and 181 ODIs for Australia, scoring 7,422 runs in the longer format, including 21 centuries and 32 half-centuries. He hit 5,964 runs with five centuries and 37 half-centuries in limited-overs internationals.

Boon is currently General Manager ? Cricket at Cricket Tasmania, and also an Australia national selector. However, he will relinquish both those posts before taking over his assignment as an ICC Match Referee.

"I am excited with this appointment as it provides me with another opportunity to stay involved with this great sport," he said.

"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," he added.

Hurst, who joined the panel in April 2004, will retire six days before his 61st birthday on July 9 after officiating in the fifth and final ODI between England and Sri Lanka in Manchester.

That will be Hurst's 102nd ODI as he becomes just the 10th match referee to date to officiate in a century of ODIs.

Hurst's 45th and last Test as a member of the elite panel will be the third and final game of the series between England and Sri Lanka in Southampton from June 16 to 20.

The former fast bowler, who played 12 Tests and eight ODIs between 1974 and 1979, has also officiated in 25 Twenty20s, including matches in the ICC World Twenty20 England 2009 and West Indies 2010.

Hurst, who is currently refereeing the West Indies and Pakistan Test series in the Caribbean, said, "I have had seven wonderful years as an ICC match referee, a time that has provided me with lasting memories of some exceptional cricket matches, champion players and outstanding performances."