Referee Bennett lands cricket job

Premier League football referee Steve Bennett is to switch sports to take up a new role with the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The 48-year-old, who took charge of the 2007 FA Cup final, will become director of the ECB's new Association of Cricket Officials (ACO).

Bennett will work on developing umpires and off-field officials.

"I understand the importance of officials' role and the satisfaction to be gained from officiating," he said.

"I would like more people to get involved and experience the benefits. Officials are vital players in all sports."

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ECB chief executive David Collier said the appointment of Bennett showed the importance that English cricket's governing body played on the role of officials.

"Steve's unique background will be invaluable in this role. His appointment demonstrates the importance that ECB places on our officials being at the heart of the game," he said.

Bennett, who played cricket for Kent at age-group level, began refereeing in football back in 1984, progressing through the ranks to join the Premier League's bank of officials in 1999.

But Bennett is not the first high-level football referee to become involved in cricket officiating.

Last year, former referee Martin Bodenham, who took charge of the 1997 League Cup final, was added to the ECB's list of first-class umpires.

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