Wellington’s Cory Black has become the latest New Zealand umpire to achieve a significant milestone in his career by being promoted to the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires ahead of the 2024-25 season. This promotion places Black among the ranks of other prominent New Zealand umpires such as Wayne Knights, Shaun Haig, and Chris Brown, marking a major step forward in his journey within international cricket.
The ICC Umpire Pathway is structured in tiers to ensure that only the most experienced and skilled umpires officiate at the highest levels of the game. Cory Black’s promotion places him on the third tier, the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires. This panel is composed of four umpires from each of the 12 full ICC member nations, all of whom are eligible to officiate in men’s and women’s ODIs, T20Is, and ICC events.
The International Panel is just below the Emirates ICC Emerging Umpire’s Panel, where New Zealand’s Chris Brown currently serves. Above this is the prestigious ICC Elite Panel, which consists of the top-tier umpires eligible to officiate across all international formats, including Test matches. Notably, New Zealand’s Chris Gaffaney is a member of this elite group.
Cory Black’s rise through the ranks of umpiring in New Zealand has been nothing short of impressive. His umpiring journey began in Adelaide, Australia, but in 2016, Black relocated to New Zealand and quickly integrated into the domestic cricket scene. Starting on the NZC National Reserve Panel, Black’s dedication and consistent performance led to his promotion to the NZC National Umpire Panel ahead of the 2021-22 season.
His talents were quickly recognized, leading to his First-Class debut in the Plunket Shield match between Northern Districts and the Wellington Firebirds at the end of the 2021-22 season. A year later, Black made his women’s international debut in the WHITE FERNS’ 1st T20I against India at Sky Stadium. Since then, he has become a regular feature in New Zealand Cricket’s (NZC) domestic formats and international women’s matches, officiating in WHITE FERNS series against top-tier teams like Pakistan and England.
Black’s inclusion on the ICC International Panel is a testament to his growth as an umpire and his ability to handle high-pressure situations on the field. As he gains more international experience, Black will have the opportunity to hone his skills even further.
According to Charlie Brewer, NZC’s Head of Cricket Operations, Black’s promotion is a significant achievement that highlights the opportunities available for umpires both in New Zealand and globally. Brewer emphasized that this promotion aligns with NZC’s goal of developing greater umpiring depth at the international level. The exposure to international matches will be invaluable in Cory Black’s continued development as an umpire.
“This is a great opportunity for Cory to continue his umpiring development at the next level, and it’s thoroughly deserved based on his performances over recent seasons,” Brewer stated. “The exposure to more international appointments will enhance his skills and contribute to his ongoing development.”
Brewer also highlighted the importance of having high-performing umpires who can manage the international workload during New Zealand’s home summer, stressing that umpiring continues to be a rewarding and attractive pathway for cricket enthusiasts.
New Zealand’s Presence on the ICC Umpiring Panels
New Zealand boasts a strong presence in ICC’s umpiring system, with representatives across various panels:
- Chris Gaffaney: Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires
- Chris Brown: Emirates ICC Emerging Umpire Panel
- Wayne Knights, Shaun Haig, Chris Brown, Cory Black: Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires
- Kim Cotton: International Panel of ICC Development Umpires
These appointments reflect the success of New Zealand’s umpiring system in nurturing talent and ensuring that umpires from the country are well-prepared to handle international assignments. With Cory Black’s promotion, New Zealand’s depth of umpiring talent continues to grow, promising a bright future for the nation’s involvement in international cricket