Premier League football referee Steve Bennett
is to switch sports to take up a new role with the England and
Wales Cricket Board.
The 48-year-old, who took charge of the 2007 FA Cup final, will
become director of the ECB's new Association of Cricket Officials
(ACO).
Bennett will work on developing umpires and off-field
officials.
"I understand the importance of officials' role and the
satisfaction to be gained from officiating," he said.
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"I would like more people to get involved and experience the
benefits. Officials are vital players in all sports."
ECB chief executive David Collier said the appointment of
Bennett showed the importance that English cricket's governing body
played on the role of officials.
"Steve's unique background will be invaluable in this role. His
appointment demonstrates the importance that ECB places on our
officials being at the heart of the game," he said.
Bennett, who played cricket for Kent at age-group level, began
refereeing in football back in 1984, progressing through the ranks
to join the Premier League's bank of officials in 1999.
But Bennett is not the first high-level football referee to
become involved in cricket officiating.
Last year, former referee Martin Bodenham, who took charge of
the 1997 League Cup final, was added to the ECB's list of
first-class umpires.
bbc
