Richard Kettleborough umpires 100th Test, only fifth to do so

Richard Kettleborough of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires stood as an on-field umpire in his 100th Test, the third Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town. At 53, he is only the fifth umpire to reach the mark, according to the ICC.

He follows Aleem Dar (145 Tests), Steve Bucknor (128), Rudi Koertzen (108) and Rod Tucker (102) on the list of umpires with 100 or more Tests.

A career across formats

Kettleborough began his international umpiring career with a T20I between England and Australia at Old Trafford in 2009. His first Test followed in November 2010, between Sri Lanka and the West Indies at Galle.

Besides the 100 Tests, he has umpired 114 ODIs and 46 T20Is, along with four Women’s ODIs and four Women’s T20Is.

Reaction

ICC Chairman Jay Shah called reaching 100 Tests as an on-field umpire an outstanding achievement that celebrates Kettleborough’s exceptional career.

Kettleborough said he was grateful to the ICC, the ECB and his colleagues for their continued support. He dedicated the milestone to his late father and aunt, and to his children and loved ones.

South Africa and Australia in recent Tests

In the Australia tour of South Africa, 2026, Australia won a Test by 214 runs on 9 October. South Africa won another by an innings and 31 runs on 18 October, after Australia were bowled out for 99 in their first innings.

The two sides also met in the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025, which South Africa won by 5 wickets on 11 June 2025.