Deighton Butler joins ICC Elite Panel of Umpires

Former Vincentian, Windward Islands, and West Indies left-arm medium fast bowler, Deighton Kelvin Butler, has been appointed to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) International Elite Panel of Umpires. He joins Gregory Braithwaite, Leslie Reifer, and Zahid Bassarath, and Joel Wilson as the only West Indians on the ICC panel.

Butler told SEARCHLIGHT on Sunday evening October 13, 2024, that he is elated over the elevation to the ICC Elite International Panel of Umpires. It “is something I have been working very hard towards,” he said.

Butler explained that it is similar to when one is a player “and your dream is to play international cricket and play for the West Indies…. For me it is the same now that I am umpiring…”.

“My dream and my goal was to become an international umpire, for when you aspire to be at the top of your game in the sport that you are involved in whether as a player or as an official … that gives you motivation to work hard,” the former cricketer added.

Butler said if one does not aspire to be at the top, there is very little motivation.

“Even on the days when things do not go well on the field you still have that drive, that motivation for you to know what your goal is and what you are looking to achieve.”

He said it is a good feeling, and he is happy to know he is flying the flag of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

“I am happy to know that I am flying the flag of St. Vincent and the Grenadines…carrying it with me whither I go. And now I will be on the International Panel, I will continue carrying that flag on my shoulder proudly, and the West Indies for I represent not only St. Vincent and the Grenadines but all of the West Indies… always striving to be the best I can be, and I look forward to the future at that level,” he continued.

“My aim is to work hard to maintain …a high standard of officiating and make the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the rest of the West Indies proud…take it one day at a time…taking it in stride.”

Butler comes with a wealth of experience in the field as a player, having represented the Windward Islands in the period 2000 to 2010, and the West Indies, playing five ODIs one T 20 Internationals during the years 2005 and 2006.

Following his retirement from international cricket, Butler became an active member of the local Cricket Umpires Association, and in 2023, during the CG United Regional Super-50 overs competition, he marked a milestone of officiating in 50 List A matches.

Among Butler’s achievements are the enviable five straight appointments in the Caribbean Premier League play-offs, and four as on-field umpire in the finals within the last five years.