The players always remain the main attraction during a cricket match. The reason is simple; their great performances turn the matches into a delight.
Being the center of attraction, the players overlook the few who silently complete their task and make the match in a very smooth manner.
The ICC Elite Panel umpires and match referees are those few people mentioned above. They not only ensure the match is played fairly and correctly but also take the whole burden of responsibility.
But, have you ever thought about how much the ICC pays to the referees?
Well! The salaries and benefits of the ICC Elite Panel umpires and match referees will be disclosed in this article.
ICC Elite Panel Umpire Salary
The International Cricket Council (ICC) hires 12 Elite Panel Umpires every year, which you may not know. The international body admits and removes umpires from the Elite Panel according to their performance.
The Elite Panel members are given retainers every year by the ICC. The annual retainer comes along with a huge salary package.
Though there is no official word on the matter, the yearly salary of an ICC Elite Panel umpire is approximately between USD 100,000 and USD 200,000.
However, this is the area where the base pay ends. If we take into account the match fees given by the ICC, their earnings go even higher.
Match fees? Yes, umpires do get match fees just like the players.
ICC Elite Panel umpires get in terms of match fees?
The match fees for the ICC umpires are different according to the format. The ICC pays them USD 5,000 for every Test match appearance. An ODI is worth USD 3,000 for the umpire, while a T20I is worth USD 1,500 for the umpire.
Moreover, the umpires get other benefits as well. The ICC gives them daily, travel, and accommodation allowances for the duration of bilateral and ICC tournaments.
ICC Elite Panel Match Referee Salary
A common misconception is that a match referee’s involvement in cricket is limited to the toss, but it is not entirely the case. The referee is present only briefly, but they are the foremost match official in any cricket match.
Only the best are included in the elite panel. The ICC usually pays five to six match referees annually. Besides, the salary for a match referee ranges from USD 40,000 to USD 50,000 per year.
What about match fees? The match referees, as well as the umpires, receive their share of match fees.
The referees get USD 2,500 for officiating a Test match and USD 1,500 for an ODI match, while they earn USD 850 for a T20I match.
Moreover, the match referees receive the same benefits that are given to the umpires, making the profession quite rewarding.
