Cricket Australia is pleased to announce its Match Referee Panel for the 2026/27 season, featuring a blend of extensive experience and emerging talent as the national officiating program continues to go from strength to strength.
The 2026/27 panel sees all members retained from last season, while five officials have been elevated as part of Cricket Australia's ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of Match Referees.
Joanne Broadbent, Charlie Burke, Xavier Doherty, Sarah Elliott and Janine Stainer have all joined the main Match Referee Panel following impressive performances across the pathway and state systems.
Broadbent, Elliott and Stainer have progressed through Cricket Australia's Match Referee Talent Pathway Program, while Burke and Doherty have also distinguished themselves through outstanding contributions at state level over recent seasons.
The panel reflects a diverse range of cricketing expertise, comprising former international players, umpires, coaches and administrators.
Former Test players Joanne Broadbent, Xavier Doherty, Sarah Elliott, David Gilbert and Kepler Wessels join the panel, alongside former Test umpire Simon Fry, former first-class player and leading cricket administrator David Johnston, former first-class umpire Bob Parry, and highly respected coaches and administrators Charlie Burke, Janine Stainer and Kent Hannam.
Cricket Australia Match Officials Manager Luke O'Brien said the panel's depth and breadth of experience places Australian match refereeing in a stronger position than ever before. "This panel boasts more than 150 matches of first-class match refereeing experience and brings together an outstanding breadth of backgrounds from former players, umpires, coaches and administrators. The diversity of experience across the group is one of its greatest strengths. Combined with the quality coming through our talent pathway programs, match refereeing in Australia has never been stronger.
Steve Davis will relinquish his Match Refereeing duties to take up the role of Lead Match Referee and Umpire Selector. "Steve has made a significant contribution to match refereeing in Australia and we are fortunate to continue benefiting from his expertise in his leadership and selection responsibilities" O’Brien added.
Meanwhile, David Gilbert will continue as a member of the ICC Emerging Match Referee Panel, having made his Test match refereeing debut in Zimbabwe earlier this year.
Cricket Australia Match Referee Panel 2026/27
• Joanne Broadbent
• Charlie Burke
• Xavier Doherty
• Sarah Elliott
• Simon Fry
• David Gilbert
• Kent Hannam
• David Johnston
• Bob Parry
• Janine Stainer
• Kepler Wessels
For full and up to date Umpire and Match Referee statistics please refer to https://www.cricket.com.au/high-performance/umpiring