The third and final ODI between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo on Wednesday witnessed a historical landmark as Sri Lanka’s Ranjan Madugalle became the first match referee to officiate in 400 men’s ODIs. Here's a list of individuals who have refereed the most matches.
Madugalle is also a former international cricket player who represented his nation in 21 Tests and 63 ODIs. On Wednesday, he became only the first to oversee 400 ODIs.
Apart from his record feat in ODIs, he has also refereed in 216 men’s Tests, 163 men’s T20Is, 14 women’s ODIs and eight T20Is.
With a career spanning over three decades, Madugalle is the longest-serving member of ICC’s Elite Panel of Match referees, conducting 779 matches in total at the international level, the most by anyone.
"It has been a great honour and privilege to have officiated in international cricket for so many years and it’s almost dreamlike to be reaching this milestone," said Madugalle on reaching the landmark. "I was pleased when I got the opportunity to be associated with the game after my time as a cricketer but never thought that it would stretch to over three decades!"
Ranjan Madugalle becomes the first match referee to officiate 400 ODIs 🤩#SLvIND | 📸: @OfficialSLC pic.twitter.com/8QQvfvAwXf
— ICC (@ICC) August 7, 2024
There is a difference of more than 100 matches between him and the next best New Zealand’s Jeff Crowe, who has 636 matches under his belt. Crowe is closely followed by England’s Chris Broad, at 622 games.
List of match referees who have officiated the most international matches
Ranjan Senerath Madugalle (Sri Lanka): 779 matches
Jeffrey John Crowe (New Zealand): 636 matches
Christopher James Broad (England): 622 matches
Andrew John Pycroft (Zimbabwe): 482 matches
Javagal Srinath (India): 472 matches
David Clarence Boon (Australia): 368 matches
Roshan Siriwardene Mahanama (Sri Lanka): 318 matches
Richard Benjamin Richardson (West Indies): 241 matches
Michael John Procter (South Africa): 224 matches
Clive Hubert Lloyd (West Indies): 188 matches
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