David Boon Retires

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has congratulated David Boon for a fine career as match referee, during which he officiated in close to 400 international matches after joining the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees in 2011.

The 64-year-old Tasmanian’s last match was the second Test between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in Chattogram and he now joins Cricket Australia as a Board Director.

ICC Chair, Mr. Jay Shah, said: “On behalf of the International Cricket Council, I extend my gratitude to David Boon for his outstanding service as an ICC match referee. Over the years, he has combined his unparalleled experience as a world-class player with a remarkable level of patience and keen attention to detail.”

“Officiating international cricket poses many challenges, yet David’s fair-minded judgments and thoughtful insights consistently earned the respect of players, support staff, and colleagues alike. His professionalism and integrity have set a benchmark for match officials across the sport.

“As he embarks on his new role with the Cricket Australia Board, I am confident that David will bring the same dedication and leadership that have defined his career. We wish him every success in this next chapter, and we know that Australian cricket will benefit greatly from his expertise and vision.”

David Boon said: “It is with mixed emotions that I finish my time as a match referee with the ICC. It has been an incredible honor and pleasure to be a part of this journey spanning nearly 14 years. I am grateful for the opportunity including the challenges, the many cherished memories and friendships I’ve made along the way.

“I feel privileged to have stayed so connected to our great game, witnessing international cricket from such close quarters. I hope that I leave having made a difference and contributed to officiating the world game.

“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the ICC and Cricket Australia for their support over the years in this chapter of my involvement in the game. I also extend my thanks to all the umpires I have worked with and my fellow referees for being such fantastic colleagues and more notably great people.

“Most importantly and critically, the strength, support and encouragement of my family, especially my wife Pip, cannot be measured along with those close friends at home who care during times of absence.

“I will stay associated with the game in my new role as a Board Director of Cricket Australia and hopefully I can continue to make a positive contribution to the game which I am sure will be enhanced by my experiences as a match referee.”

Boon officiated in 87 Men’s Tests, 183 Men’s ODIs, 119 Men’s T20Is and seven Women’s T20Is.

In an international playing career that stretched from 1984 to 1996, Boon scored 7,422 runs in 107 Tests with 21 centuries and 5,964 runs in 181 ODIs with five centuries. He was the Player of the Match in the final of the 1987 World Cup, when Australia won it for the first time.

Boon also served as the General Manager of Cricket at Cricket Tasmania and as an Australia national selector.