Elite Umpire Chris Gaffaney will be standing in his 50th Test match during the second Ashes Test between England and Australia at Lord’s from Wednesday. Gaffaney will become just the second New Zealand umpire to reach the half-century mark after the legendary Billy Bowden, who featured in 84 Tests. The New Zealand-based umpire has also umpired in 77 ODIs and 43 T20Is and took part in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy in 2017, the Men’s Cricket World Cups in the year 2015 and 2019, as well as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cups in 2016, 2021 and 2022.
He made his umpiring debut back in 2014 in a Test match in Harare between Zimbabwe vs South Africa.
“It’s a tremendous honour to reach 50 Tests and it is made even more special since it will be at the home of cricket. I feel very lucky. To be only the second New Zealander in the history of the game to do this is something I’m very proud of. I never thought I’d do one, let alone 50”, Gaffaney said.
“None of it would have been possible without my incredible wife Sarah who has stuck with me through the highs and lows and been my biggest supporter.
“I’d like to thank Rodger McHarg who was my first umpire manager at NZ Cricket. When I took my first steps into umpiring, he was always there to encourage, help and direct me on the path on which I walk today.
“Also massive thanks to all my umpiring colleagues. Umpiring is an extremely challenging job which is made all the more enjoyable with the quality people I've had the privilege of working with. Thanks team!”, he added.
ICC Manager of Umpires and Referees, Sean Easey also congratulated Gaffaney on reaching this milestone.
He said, “Chris is a respected member of the team and has been on our elite panel for close to a decade. An achievement like this is special and a credit to his consistently strong performances.”
“Hopefully this Test milestone is just one of many to come. On behalf of the ICC, I congratulate him for reaching 50 Tests and wish him all the best for the future.”