Former Hampshire Bowler Billy Taylor Promoted to ECB Full Umpire’s List

Former Hampshire favourite Billy Taylor has been appointed on the ECB Full Umpire’s List for the 2016 season.

The right-arm seamer, who was awarded his Hampshire county cap in 2006 after making his debut for Hants in April 2004, is replacing long-serving umpire Mark Benson, who will step down from his role as a result of a back injury.

Benson, who played one test match and one ODI for England in 1986, became a first class umpire in 1997, before officiating an international match for the first time in 2004. Since then he has umpired the World T20 final in 2007 and been a member of the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires.

Taylor, who was appointed to the Umpire Reserve list in 2011, made over 120 appearances in all competitions for Hampshire before leaving the club in August 2009.

ECB Full Umpire List for 2016:

Rob Bailey, Neil Bainton, Paul Baldwin, Michael Burns, Nick Cook, Nigel Cowley, Jeff Evans, Russell Evans, Steve Gale, Steve Garratt, Michael Gough, Ian Gould, Peter Hartley, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Graham Lloyd, Jeremy Lloyds, Neil Mallender, David Millns, Steve O’Shaughnessy, Tim Robinson, Martin Saggers, Billy Taylor, Alex Wharf.