Cricket umpire Billy Doctrove. - File

ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC):

Dominica's ICC Elite Panel umpire Billy Doctrove is hoping that his success serves as a motivation for other persons to become cricket umpires and begin to take the role seriously.

Doctrove, who was appointed to the ICC Elite Panel of umpires in April last year, is among 16 umpires who will officiate at the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, which bowls off in the Caribbean later this month.

Pave the way

According to Doctrove, his elevation should pave the way for more umpires.

"As I have always said, whenever you have reached a certain level, you want to ensure that you are the pioneer and as a result, you have to lay the foundation for others to follow and I believe that I have done just that," Doctrove said.

"Nowadays, with all that cricket that is being played, there will be many opportunities. Persons only have to position themselves to take advantage of the opportunities that will be available.

"I believe that over the last few years, we have seen some good umpires within the region coming through. Locally, we have seen Lennox Abraham doing regional matches where he has been getting good reviews, and even recently, the appointment of Goaland Greaves of St. Vincent as a television umpire and a member of the ICC International Panel augurs well and should serve as some sort of motivation."

Doctrove was quick to caution that the process was a slow one and noted this was a reason why many persons were not interested in officiating.

Perseverance

"Many persons say that they do not want to become umpires for many reasons. I believe that many persons are simply not interested because they say that the process is too slow," Doctrove said.

"To some extent, they are right. However, one has to persevere and with time and patience, they will make it."

Doctrove will officiate in St. Lucia, where Canada, England, Kenya and New Zealand will do battle in Group C of the preliminary round.