Ex-Glamorgan all-rounder Alex Wharf has been appointed to the Emirates International Panel of ICC Umpires for 2018.
He becomes the fourth English umpire on that list, joining Rob Bailey, Michael Gough and Tim Robinson.
Wharf, 42, began umpiring in 2011 after being forced to retire in 2009 and has been a full-time member of the ECB’s First-Class Umpires List since 2014.
The burly Yorkshireman spent 10 seasons with Glamorgan after spells with Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, and made 13 ODI appearances for England in 2004 and 2005, while with the Welsh county.
“I loved the experience of playing international cricket, and I’m delighted to have been appointed to the ICC’s International Panel,” said Wharf.
“I’ve enjoyed my journey into and through umpiring so far. As a player, I always loved the game and had the utmost respect for it. To have the opportunity to stay involved, to meet thousands of people who also love the game, and to come to grips with a new role where you do have to deal with a range of challenges, has been a pleasure and a privilege.
“I’ve enjoyed the experiences of international cricket I’ve gained in the women’s game and also in other representative matches such as the Lions, Under-19s and the North-South Series last year. This appointment is another step, and will hopefully allow me to gain further experiences in ODIs at home and abroad.”
Wharf will however remain one of the 25 full-time officials on the ECB list for the 2018 summer. “Come the end of March I’ll probably be somewhere like The Parks for an MCCU match,” he said. “That’s the bread and butter of our game, and we all look forward to the start of the season.”