Fresh match-officials for Ranchi, Dharamsala Tests, replacements not sudden, says ICC

Mumbai: Chris Broad's replacement as a match referee for India's last two Test matches against Australia is not sudden, revealed International Cricket Council (ICC), on Monday.

West Indies' Richie Richardson is all set to take over from Broad for the last two Tests (Ranchi 16-20 March and Dharamshala March 25-29).

Broad's referee work came under fire and several former cricketers, including Sunil Gavaskar criticised him for not taking action against Australia captain Steve Smith, who sought dressing room help on DRS decision.

"There is no sudden change. Chris (Broad) was always supposed to referee in the first two Tests, while Richie Richardson was appointed for the last two Tests", the ICC spokesperson said from Dubai.

Interestingly, not only the match-referee, but the two on field umpires will also be fresh for the Ranchi and Dharamshala Tests.

Their places will be taken by England's Ian Gould and Chris Gaffaney (New Zealand). Nigel Llong (Eng.) who was a field umpire in Pune and Bangalore, will officiate as a TV umpire in Ranchi.

Players assemble in Ranchi

The players of both teams assembled in Ranchi on Tuesday, after they were given a Holi-break.

The flight from Bangalore, which brought the Australian team to Ranchi in the morning, reportedly also had a few Indian players (Lokesh Rahul, Murali Vijay, Karun Nayar, Mohammad Shami etc. along with coach Anil Kumble).