Two highly regarded NSW umpires have called stumps on their professional careers this week with Simon Lightbody and Andrew Hamilton retiring from the Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW umpiring panels respectively.
Lightbody finished up at the end of the New South Wales vs Victoria Sheffield Shield match at the SCG yesterday, his 29th and final first-class fixture.
Hamilton will step down following today’s WNCL match between the NSW Breakers and ACT Meteors at Cricket Central.
Both have had decorated careers behind the stumps:
Lightbody finished his professional umpiring career with 29 First-Class, 20 List-A, and 47 (a further 30 as TV Umpire) KFC BBL matches to his name. In a rare double, he was appointed on-field for the 2021-22 WBBL and WNCL Finals.
Hamilton stood in 81 matches across the WNCL, WT20, WBBL and WT20 Spring Challenge, amongst a host of highlights.
Both have been well respected match officials in NSW Premier Cricket for decades.
Cricket NSW Chief Premier Cricket & Country Cricket Officer, Darren Goodger, who is also the Cricket NSW State Umpiring Manager & Coach, said both Lightbody and Hamilton had been great servants of the game.
“Simon retires from umpiring professional cricket on his terms having made an outstanding and sincere contribution to cricket, always giving his best. The NSWCUSA is much the stronger for his involvement and more importantly for his example,” Goodger said.
“Andrew has been an outstanding contributor to New South Wales umpiring. His on-field record speaks for itself, and he has been an energetic and sincere contributor as a mentor to colleagues and in supporting the NSWCUSA by facilitating presentations at annual conventions and monthly meetings.
“We offer our congratulations to both Simon and Andrew on all their achievements and for the manner in which they have contributed.
“While they have called an end to their professional umpiring careers we look forward to them both being part of the NSW cricket community for many years to come.”