SYDNEY, July 10: Retired Australian test cricketer Paul Reiffel is hoping to start a new international career as an umpire.

The veteran of 35 Tests and 92 one-day internationals says he became hooked on umpiring after officiating at a low-grade club match in Melbourne.

The 36-year-old has been added to a special training programme run by the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) that encourages ex-players to try their hand at umpiring.

Under the scheme, Reiffel will spend the next Australian summer officiating in first-grade district matches but could be fast-tracked to first-class games if he shows promise.

“The ACB is striving to develop the best umpires in the world and I am confident our umpiring initiatives will make this happen,” ACB chief executive officer James Sutherland said in a statement.—Reuters