'At this level there is always going to be scrutiny and pressure in what you do' - Irish umpire Roly Black on officiating in World Cup Qualifiers

Harare, Zimbabwe: Irish umpire Roly Black has arrived in Zimbabwe as part of the umpiring panel at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier starting on Sunday, and is busy preparing with his umpiring colleagues for four weeks of competitive action.

Black, 51, has been umpiring since 2006 and stood in his first international match in 2016. He was one of four umpires to be awarded a full-time season contract by Cricket Ireland in 2019 and is currently a member of Cricket Ireland’s International Umpire Panel. He stood as an umpire at the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier in 2019, at the ICC Men’s Under-19s World Cup in South Africa in 2020, and at the ICC Men’s Under-19s World Cup in the Caribbean – eventually being appointed to be an on-field umpire in the Final.

While he is still awaiting his final match assignments for the Qualifier, Black is enjoying the build-up to this high-stakes tournament. He said:

"It’s great to finally be here - I have never umpired in Zimbabwe before, the closest to these conditions was the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa in 2020. In the lead-up to the tournament, we will umpire in two warm-up matches, which will allow us to have a better understanding of how the pitches will play in regard to pace, bounce, and spin.

“In terms of the tournament, match officials are fully aware of the importance and magnitude of such events to both players and participating countries. We have just finished a comprehensive two-day workshop to ensure that we as a match officials group, are as best prepared as possible. 

“There’s welcome news that we’ll have the assistance of DRS for the Super Six stage of the tournament – at this level, there is always going to be scrutiny and pressure in what you do, it is all part of the role, so such support is invaluable. Despite how pressurized the fixture may be to the teams on the field, however, as an umpire you can’t let the pressure consume you. It is important that you embrace it, rise to the challenge, trust your processes, and do everything you can to work towards a positive outcome.”

Black recently stood in the three-day match between Ireland Men and Essex, just prior to the Lord’s Test, and was delighted to reacquaint himself with umpiring multi-day cricket once more:

“It was really good to get back into multiday mode again, many would say the purest format of the game. There are many different challenges in the longer format, general match management, bowlers bowling longer spells, close fielders around the bat, fitness and concentration especially going into days three or four.”

The Qualifier is scheduled to be played over the next four weeks, and while Black will have a full schedule of matches to officiate, how will he spend his ‘non-match days’?

“Non-match days can also be busy with post-match debriefs, self-reflection, recovery in the gym, preparation for your next game, such as TV simulations or research on players. We could also be traveling between Harare and Bulawayo. To get away from the intensity of a tournament like the Qualifiers, downtime for me is just chilling and connecting with family at home, going to the gym, or watching a movie or boxset that I have downloaded. If the opportunity arises, I would hope to embrace some of the local culture or visit some of the well know local attractions.”