[1]The ICC on Thursday said that Emirates Elite Panel umpire Billy Doctrove has announced his retirement from umpiring and will not be seeking an extension to his contract that expires at the end of this month.
Doctrove was due to officiate in the forthcoming ODI and Test series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, starting in Pallekele from June 7, but has withdrawn from what would have been his last assignment as an elite panelist as he had to return to Dominica due to a family bereavement.
As such, the second Test between New Zealand and South Africa in Hamilton in March has turned out to be Doctrove's last appearance as an elite panelist.
This brings down the curtain on an outstanding career in top-level umpiring in which the 56-year-old stood in 38 Tests, 112 ODIs and 17 T20Is, including the final of the ICC World Twenty20 2010 between England and Australia in Barbados.
Doctrove, born on July 3, 1955 in Marigot (Dominica), made his ODI debut on April 4, 1998 in a match between the West Indies and England in Kingstown, St Vincent, and two years later in Antigua stood in his first Test between the West Indies and Pakistan, a match which the home side won by one wicket.
Doctrove was promoted to the Emirates International Panel of ICC Umpires in 2004 before being elevated to the elite panel in April 2006.
Reflecting on his decision and career, Doctrove said, "After much consideration I have informed the selectors of my decision to retire."
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/billydoctrovejpgcropdisplayjpg-702