New South Wales' Paul Wilson, one of Australia's most respected and long-serving umpires, has announced his retirement from the Cricket Australia National Umpires Board at the end of Australia's current season.
Fellow veteran umpire Bruce Oxenford from Queensland has also announced his intention to retire.
The Marsh Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Queensland at the WACA Ground from March 1-4 will be Wilson and Oxenford's final match.
Mr Wilson played Test and ODI cricket before turning to umpiring and was on the ICC International Committee for 11 years, umpiring eight Tests, 43 ODIs and 26 T20 Internationals.
Affectionately known as 'Blocker', Wilson's 62 first-class games include four Sheffield Shield finals and 61 List A games. He was also popular in the BBL, playing in 88 matches including five finals.
Oxenford, a veteran of 62 Tests and 97 ODIs, spent 13 years on the ICC Elite Panel before returning to finish his distinguished career on the Cricket Australia Domestic Umpires Panel.
He has refereed 75 First Class matches, including two Sheffield Shield finals, 50 List A matches and 43 BBL matches, including two finals.
Wilson will continue to referee internationally in various franchise tournaments.
Paul Wilson said:
“I am forever grateful to Cricket Australia for following in the footsteps of Paul Reiffel and Rod Tucker and signing me to the project panel. I was able to attend cricket matches and make lifelong friends.''
“Oceaning is something we do, not who we are. My wife Sally has been a great support to me and especially with our young family when we spend long periods away from home. They have been a pillar of strength and I am now looking forward to spending more time with the crew and starting to write the next chapter of our story!”
“It’s a real honor to play my last first-class game with Ox (Oxenford).”
Darren Goodger, CNSW The Competition Director and Judge said:
“We offer Congratulations Thank you Paul for a wonderful career as an international referee.
“Paul has been an exemplary ambassador for NSWCUSA, NSW Cricket and the Australian Umpires.
“He is a human being, referee and leader of the highest quality and integrity, and is admired by his colleagues for his ability, humility, calmness, common sense, willingness to share his experience, integrity and teamwork. Respected and Paul Wilson may be proud to be his own international umpire' career.
“We wish Paul all the best in life and his future endeavors in cricket.
Referee Paul Wilson Snapshot
- 8 test match
Participated in 5 test matches as TV referee - 43 One Day International (2019 & 2023 ICC World Cup)
18 ODIs as TV umpire - 26 T20 Internationals (2021 and 2022 ICC World Cup)
14 T20I appeared as TV referee - 62 first class matches (4 Sheffield Shield finals)
- 61 List A matches (3 One Day Cup finals)
- 88 Big Bash matches (5 BBL finals)
39 Big Bash matches as TV referee - 1 Women's Test Match
- 8 Women's One-Day Internationals (2017 and 2022 ICC World Cup)
- 1 Women's T20 International
