Umpire Venkat ready for last stand
LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Sriivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan, one of cricket's most respected umpires, will stand in his final Test match next month, the ICC said on Thursday.
Venkataraghavan, popularly known as Venkat, will bow out in the second Test between Sri Lanka and Australia which starts in Kandy on March 16.
His decision to retire brings to an end a career stretching back more than 20 years and 75 Tests. He has also stood in 52 one-day internationals.
ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said he will go down as one of the game's greatest umpires.
"His integrity and passion for cricket are of the highest order and he has helped ensure that the spirit of the game remains intact for those that will follow," said Speed.
Before turning to umpiring Venkat enjoyed an outstanding career as a player and captain of India.
He played in 57 Tests and 15 one-day internationals for his country in a career which started as a 19-year-old against New Zealand in 1964/65.
Venkat played in his final Test at the age of 38 in 1983/84 against Pakistan.
