31 August 2004	Tuesday	14 Rajab 1425

LONDON, Aug 30: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday confirmed the umpire and referee appointments for the 12 group matches at the ICC Champions Trophy beginning on Sept 10.

Chris Broad, Clive Lloyd, Ranjan Madugalle and Mike Procter of the Elite Panel of ICC Referees will share referee duties over the group stage of the tournament. All eight members of the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires will officiate on the field and as third umpires over the 12 preliminary matches.

The eight on-field umpires will be joined by International Panel of ICC Umpires Billy Doctrove and Jeremy Lloyds. Appointments for the semifinals and tournament final will be made at the end of the group stage.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE 12 GROUP MATCHES:

Sept 10: England v Zimbabwe at Edgbaston. Umpires: Simon Taufel (Australia) and Steve Bucknor (West Indies), TV umpire: Billy Bowden (New Zealand), Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka).

Sept 10: New Zealand v United States at The Oval. Umpires: David Shepherd (England) and Billy Doctrove (West Indies), TV umpire: Darrell Hair (Australia). Match referee: Mike Procter (South Africa).

Sept 11: India v Kenya at Southampton. Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (South Africa) and Daryl Harper (Australia). TV umpire: Aleem Dar (Pakistan). Match referee: Clive Lloyd (West Indies).

Sept 12: South Africa v Bangladesh at Edgbaston. Umpires: Jeremy Lloyds (England) and Taufel. TV umpire: Hair. Match referee: Chris Broad (England).

Sept 13: Australia v United States at Suthampton. Umpires: Bowden and Aleem Dar.TV umpire: Bucknor. Match referee: Madugalle.

Sept 14: Pakistan v Kenya at Edgbaston. Umpires: Doctrove and Koertzen. TV umpire: Hair. Match referee: Lloyd.

Sept 14: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe at The Oval. Umpires: Harper and Shepherd. TV umpire: Taufel. Match referee: Procter.

Sept 15: West Indies v Bangladesh at Southampton. Umpires: Lloyds and Aleem Dar. TV umpire: Bowden. Match referee: Broad.

Sept 16: Australia v New Zealand at The Oval. Umpires: Bucknor and Koertzen. TV umpire: Shepherd. Match referee: Madugalle.

Sept 17: Sri Lanka v England at Southampton. Umpires: Bowden and Hair. TV umpire: Doctrove. Match referee: Procter.

Sept 18: South Africa v West Indies at The Oval. Umpires: Lloyds and Shepherd. TV umpire Harper. Match referee: Broad.

Sept 19: India v Pakistan at Edgbaston. Umpires: Koertzen and Taufel. TV umpire: Bucknor. Match referee: Lloyd.

On the opening day, England begin their campaign to win cricket's second major event when they host Zimbabwe at Edgbaston, while New Zealand play newcomers United States at The Oval. Each match starts at 10.15 local time (915 GMT), with reserve days in place for all games. -Agencies