Bermuda?s premier cricket umpire Roger Dill took his ascent of the international arena to new heights yesterday..

The former Western Stars off spinner ? recognised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the last four years ? has now been named as a member of a new prestigious international panel of six umpires from ICC Associate and Affiliate countries, of which Bermuda is one of 86 member countries.

In addition, Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) announced during a Press conference yesterday that Dill, 48, will depart on the weekend for Stormont, Ireland, to officiate in the England versus Ireland One Day International (ODI) to take place next Tuesday.

In a prepared written statement, BCB president Reginald Pearman, said: ?This is a fantastic achievement for Roger and Bermuda cricket in general.

?The Board is very excited by the opportunities that this will not only provide Roger, but also to other Bermuda umpires who are working to progress to an international level.

?I hope this will serve as inspiration to a new generation of Bermuda officials as well as a boost to the current crop of quality umpires that exist in Bermuda.

?Within the BCB development plan every umpire, from elite to beginner, will continue to be supported in their efforts to get certified and also to progress through the international rankings where hopefully they can join Roger on the ICC Associate and Affiliates International Panel.?

Only last month fireman Dill made history at Queen?s Park Oval, Trinidad, by becoming the first member of the ICC Associate and Affiliates umpire?s panel member to stand in an official ICC ODI officiating alongside Emirates Elite Panel umpire Simon Taufel during Bermuda?s triangular ODI series against Zimbabwe and Americas regional rivals Canada.

Dill also officiated at last year?s ICC Trophy in Ireland, the ICC Intercontinental Cup in Namibia and the Under 19 World Cup in Bangladesh earlier this year.

?It should be a very interesting experience and it?s always a pleasure umpiring at that level,? Dill told ?And I am enjoying my development at this stage.?

Dill admitted he was a bit surprised after being notified of the promotion.

?I always knew certain opportunities could arise . . . but not this early,? he added.

Dill also praised his colleagues at work who have offered to cover for him on the job in his absence.

?They are just as excited as I am and willing to stand in for me and I am very appreciative of them for doing it,? he said.

Dill was also a member of the first ICC Associate and Affiliate umpiring panel, created in April last year to give officials outside the Full Member countries the chance to progress to the highest level possible.

The Associate and Affiliates Umpires Panel as it existed last year has been refined into two tiers, the Associate and Affiliate International Umpires Panel and five Regional Umpire Panels.

The change creates a unique opportunity for Associate and Affiliate Umpires, including all umpires of the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association, to be selected to officiate in ICC ODIs being played by Associate Members.

The creation of the Associate and Affiliates International Panel now provides a career pathway to officiate in ICC ODI fixtures involving Associate Members and gives opportunities for appointments (to Intercontinental Cup and other ICC Global Tournaments) from Regional Panels, while creating a pathway for Officials to progress from Regional Panels to be included in the International Panel. The Board is keen to increase the number of qualified officials in Bermuda as well as supporting them in their efforts to obtain international recognition,? BCB chief Pearman said.

? We recognise that the umpires play an integral role in the success of the sport and we will continue to execute our plan to increase participation and quality of officiating throughout Bermuda.?

Dill added: ?What they (ICC) have done now is restructured the whole system to widen the progression for other umpires in the various regions.?