Sharad Patel to make his first class umpiring debut - Tasmania v Western Australia at Bellerive Oval
NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association | February 20, 2023
By Darren Goodger
Hello Everyone
Sharad Patel will make his first-class umpiring debut tomorrow at Bellerive Oval standing in the fixture between Tasmania and Western Australia. His on-field colleague will be Sam Nogajksi, with David Johnston the Cricket Australia match referee. Sharad has strong, supportive, and experienced colleagues.
Sharad joined NSWCUSA in 2012 at the age of 18 at which time he spent two years working for Cricket NSW as the Match Officials Administration Officer, before moving to employment in the corporate world. At that time, he was playing premier cricket for the Fairfield-Liverpool club and then went on to play for Parramatta.
Sharad commenced umpiring as a member of panel 4 in men’s premier cricket, receiving the Alan Marshall Medal in season 2015-16. Sharad also received the George Borwick Memorial Award on two occasions (2018 and 2021), the Association’s highest honour for an active umpire. I never had the privilege of meeting George Borwick, but do believe he would approve of Sharad’s approach, dedication, and teamwork.
He made his first-grade umpiring debut in men’s premier cricket in November 2017 at Howell Oval in the fixture between Penrith and Randwick Petersham. Sharad immediately impressed observers with his composure and the quality of his decision making. He has now umpired 126 matches across the grades, with 79 being in first grade. In men’s premier cricket Sharad has umpired three finals, including the second-grade final in seasons 2020-21 and 2021-22. He was selected on the NSW State Umpire Panel in season 2019-20 and has performed strongly in men’s premier cricket and in Cricket Australia programs over the past four seasons. In April 2022 he was selected to attend the U19 Male National Championships for the second time, on this occasion in Mackay, and was appointed to umpire the final prior to being elevated to the Cricket Australia Supplementary Umpire Panel.
Sharad has umpired WBBL, WNCL and men’s State Second XI fixtures, while in 2022-23 he has also made his umpiring debut in both the men’s One Day Cup (List A) and the Big Bash League. It has been a remarkable season of opportunity and Sharad has performed to a high standard.
Sharad has made a genuine contribution to the NSWCUSA, not only as Administration Officer and as an umpire, but also as a member of the Social and Training committees. He is always looking to give back. In recent years he has joined the training team in facilitating Laws of Cricket courses and PD workshops for members and prospective umpires all around New South Wales. He is knowledgeable, prepared to share experience, popular and respected.
Sharad is an outstanding match official. He umpires with humility, and with strength. He is an exemplary team player, highly valued and widely respected for his character and his umpiring. Player’s respect and trust Sharad.
None of us will ever be a better umpire than we are a person, Sharad is an equally outstanding person. To earn respect one must show it, Sharad respects all and sundry and this is evident by the way he treats, engages with and encourages others.
Sharad’s first-class debut is a significant milestone on his umpiring journey. His name has been added to the first-class honour board in the Ted Wykes Room at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It is the 86th name to be placed there and it sits deservedly and comfortably with all others. Ted was an amazing man; humble, hardworking, and understated in all he did. He left an incredible legacy in the NSWCUSA. I know Ted would approve of Sharad’s name being included on the board in the room named in his honour.
This opportunity is one Sharad has worked for and deserves. He has been thorough and committed in his preparation and is looking forward to enjoying the experience and privilege of umpiring a first-class match for the first time, ready to give his best. In Sam, he will be working with an outstanding, experienced, and respected colleague. Their values are aligned.
Congratulations and best wishes are offered to Sharad for a most enjoyable and successful first-class umpiring debut. Play is scheduled to commence at 10.30am tomorrow and will be broadcast live on cricket.com.au.
