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HAVING been selected to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Television Umpiring Panel (TUP), following approval from the governing body for cricket late last year, Guyana’s Nigel Duguid departs these shores for Bangladesh today, where he will be officiating in that country’s first class season. Duguid became the fourth West Indian umpire to be selected by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to embark on such a journey, after the Trinidad and Tobago pair of Peter Nero (2010) and Joel Wilson (February 2011) and Barbados’ Gregory Brathwaite ( November 2011).
This is his second trip on the exchange programme, having been chosen by the WICB earlier this year to go to England as part of the exchange programme between the WICB and the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Speaking with Chronicle Sport, the 42-year-old Duguid, a former Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) player who quit the game as a player in 1995 to pursue a career in umpiring five years later, said he is a looking forward to this assignment earnestly.
“From the time I took the decision to become an umpire on the advice of the late Compton Vyphuis and later on with the guidance of the late Clyde Duncan, my aim was to make the ICC’s Elite Panel, having watched the performance of such umpires.
When I was selected to the TUP last year, that took me one step closer to realising that goal and although I have not reached the on-field group as yet, I have already made up my mind to work harder towards getting there as soon as possible,” said Duguid.
Duguid, a father of three who was encouraged by Vyphuis to take up umpiring, did so and received helpful advice from Duncan during his first match, while Eddie Nicholls, Grantley Culbard and Colin Alfred, among others, guided him through the steps of the profession, as he decided to make umpiring his next career goal.
Asked to comment on the exchange programme between the WICB and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) where Bangladesh’s Anisur Rahman did three games here earlier this year in the West Indies, Duguid said it was a good thing and he is earnestly looking forward to officiating in that country, as it would enable him to get a feel of the different climate and working conditions they have to offer.
“Honestly, if you were to look closely at my umpiring career, you would see that while I started same in 2000, I only became a Regional umpire in October 2010 at the Regional limited overs tournament.
“I feel confident with the strides I have made as an umpire, especially with this recent appointment knowing that I only officiated in my first Regional match two years ago and my aim is to reach the top which I know I will by God’s grace and the hard work I intend to put in, which includes keeping my mind up to date with the laws of the game.”
He added, “I’m feeling overwhelmed and happy to be chosen by the WICB for this exchange programme to Bangladesh this year end. This is another giant step in my umpiring career so far, after the stint in England. This Bangladesh trip will further improve my umpiring skills and experience.
“I’m looking to gain as much as possible, not only umpiring-wise but to experience the culture, lifestyle, weather, etc in Bangladesh which is 10 hours ahead of Guyana. We all know that umpiring is a thankless job, so my aim is to remain fit and keep up to date with all the laws and regulations, so that I will be in a position to do the job to the best of my ability.”
While in Bangladesh, Duguid will officiate in three first class matches during that country’s season which runs from the 18th November 18 to December 13, with his first game taking place November 23 to 26 in Dhaka, the second November 30 to December 3 in Sylhet and the final December 7 to 10 in Bogra.
After that, Duguid has his eyes on next year’s Caribbean T20 tournament which will be held in Trinidad and St Lucia from January 6 to 20, 2013.
This is his second trip on the exchange programme, having been chosen by the WICB earlier this year to go to England as part of the exchange programme between the WICB and the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Speaking with Chronicle Sport, the 42-year-old Duguid, a former Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) player who quit the game as a player in 1995 to pursue a career in umpiring five years later, said he is a looking forward to this assignment earnestly.
“From the time I took the decision to become an umpire on the advice of the late Compton Vyphuis and later on with the guidance of the late Clyde Duncan, my aim was to make the ICC’s Elite Panel, having watched the performance of such umpires.
When I was selected to the TUP last year, that took me one step closer to realising that goal and although I have not reached the on-field group as yet, I have already made up my mind to work harder towards getting there as soon as possible,” said Duguid.
Duguid, a father of three who was encouraged by Vyphuis to take up umpiring, did so and received helpful advice from Duncan during his first match, while Eddie Nicholls, Grantley Culbard and Colin Alfred, among others, guided him through the steps of the profession, as he decided to make umpiring his next career goal.
Asked to comment on the exchange programme between the WICB and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) where Bangladesh’s Anisur Rahman did three games here earlier this year in the West Indies, Duguid said it was a good thing and he is earnestly looking forward to officiating in that country, as it would enable him to get a feel of the different climate and working conditions they have to offer.
“Honestly, if you were to look closely at my umpiring career, you would see that while I started same in 2000, I only became a Regional umpire in October 2010 at the Regional limited overs tournament.
“I feel confident with the strides I have made as an umpire, especially with this recent appointment knowing that I only officiated in my first Regional match two years ago and my aim is to reach the top which I know I will by God’s grace and the hard work I intend to put in, which includes keeping my mind up to date with the laws of the game.”
He added, “I’m feeling overwhelmed and happy to be chosen by the WICB for this exchange programme to Bangladesh this year end. This is another giant step in my umpiring career so far, after the stint in England. This Bangladesh trip will further improve my umpiring skills and experience.
“I’m looking to gain as much as possible, not only umpiring-wise but to experience the culture, lifestyle, weather, etc in Bangladesh which is 10 hours ahead of Guyana. We all know that umpiring is a thankless job, so my aim is to remain fit and keep up to date with all the laws and regulations, so that I will be in a position to do the job to the best of my ability.”
While in Bangladesh, Duguid will officiate in three first class matches during that country’s season which runs from the 18th November 18 to December 13, with his first game taking place November 23 to 26 in Dhaka, the second November 30 to December 3 in Sylhet and the final December 7 to 10 in Bogra.
After that, Duguid has his eyes on next year’s Caribbean T20 tournament which will be held in Trinidad and St Lucia from January 6 to 20, 2013.
