Jamaican umpire Christopher Taylor appointed to International Panel

Taylor: ‘Officiating is always tough but that builds character’

West Indies and Jamaican umpire Christopher Mark Taylor has been appointed to the International Cricket Council (ICC) International Panel of Umpires.

Taylor earned his promotion, which took effect on April 1, by being the most recent CWI official to successfully complete the ICC umpire accreditation process. 

Earlier this year, the 45-year-old benefited from international exposure through the ICC Umpire Exchange Programme, officiating in Pakistan’s President’s Trophy Grade 1 competition, where his performance was rated as outstanding.

Taylor says he’s both grateful and proud of having made it to this point.

“I’m humbled and honoured,” he said. “I’ve been an official now for 20 years, because 2006 is when I did my initial local examination alongside Jacqueline Williams, who is now an established and respected International Women’s Umpire.” 

“I remember starting when I was still in the corporate world and being introduced to the role by former first-class umpire Maurice Chung, and from there it has grown into something I truly love.”

Taylor will commence the next phase of his officiating career by making his first appearance as an international umpire during the upcoming West Indies international home season.

He continued by highlighting the sacrifices that pushed him to new heights.

“I’ve been on the regional second-tier panel from 2011, so it’s been a long and tough journey, but those tough times prepare you for what’s to come. So, I’m excited about it and looking forward to experiencing new things and putting all the work into practice.”

Taylor also used the moment to highlight the often-overlooked path of officiating and to encourage aspiring umpires across the region.

“Umpiring might not be seen as a glorious position because when persons are exposed to a sport, it’s usually in the capacity of a player and not an official. In any sport, officiating is always tough… but that builds character," he said.

“There is opportunity in umpiring. It’s now a full career that you can dedicate yourself to, and I’d love to see younger persons getting into it, not only when they get into their 30s and 40s but even thinking of it as an option when they’re 18 or 20 years old or coming out of university.”