Kumar Dharmasena set to become first to feature in a World Cup final as player and umpire

Melbourne:Sri Lanka’s Kumar Dharmasena was on Friday selected to officiate the final of the cricket ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 on Sunday, thereby becoming the first person to feature in the quadrennial tournament final as both an umpire and player. English umpire Richard Kettleborough, rated as the world’s best umpire for the past two years, was unsurprisingly chosen to be in the centre at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), reports the Sydney Morning Herald.  ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 final: Kumar Dharmasena, Richard Kettleborough to officiate

Four-time Cup champions Australia will take on maiden finalists New Zealand in the summit clash. That he will be joined by Dharmasena, who won the International Cricket Council (ICC) umpires’ award in 2011, was a surprise – not because of the Sri Lankan’s general standard of officiating but because of his role that saw England’s James Taylor stranded two runs short of a maiden century for England. READ: Tim Southee confident of NZ beating AUS in ICC World Cup 2015 final at Melbourne

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After the leg-before dismissal of Taylor, made by presiding umpire Aleem Dar was overruled by the video umpire, Dharmasena independently called for a review of an incident that happened a few seconds later. England attempted to run a leg-bye and Jimmy Anderson was run-out at the striker’s end by a direct hit from Glenn Maxwell. READ: MS Dhoni losing his touch of gold?

On advice from video umpire Billy Bowden that confirmed Anderson was short of his ground, the paceman was given out, which ended England’s innings and, with it, the match. Taylor’s displeasure with the decision was later vindicated, with the ICC confirming the ball should have been considered dead from the moment Dar raised his finger, which occurred before Maxwell’s throw that ran out Anderson. READ: Michael Clarke stumped by reporter after ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 semi-final

“The ball should have been deemed dead when the batsman [James Taylor] was given out leg before wicket. No further runs or dismissals were possible,” the ICC later conceded in a statement. “The PCT [Playing Control Team] spoke to the England team management and acknowledges that the game ended incorrectly and an error was made.” None of the match officials involved in the match faced any penalty for the blunder. READ: MS Dhoni’s leadership was inspiring in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

The elevation of Dharmasena, 43, comes 19 years after he played in Sri Lanka’s 1996 triumph against Australia. South African Marais Erasmus has been appointed video umpire, with Englishman Ian Gould to serve as fourth umpire. The ICC’s most senior match referee, Sri Lankan Ranjan Madugalle, will fill that role on Sunday. READ: Anushka, you are to be blamed for India’s loss against AUS in ICC World Cup 2015