Englishman Bailey to umpire in WI first-class season

Former England Test batsman, Robert Bailey, who became a qualified umpire in 2006, will stand in several matches in the West Indies first class season starting tomorrow, as part of the umpires’ exchange programme.



The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the England and Wales Cricket Board have agreed to the umpires’ exchange programme for 2010, which will see more international exposure for match officials from the Caribbean and the United Kingdom.



Bailey played four Tests and four One Day International matches for England between 1985 and 1990 before becoming a first-class umpire.



Bailey will officiate in three rounds of the WICB’s four-day first-class competition later this month.



In exchange, an umpire from the West Indies is expected to travel to England in the summer of 2010 to officiate in the English County season.