Adrian Holdstock joins elite umpires panel but rain gets in the way of big game debut

Adrian Holdstock has become the newest member of the International Cricket Council's elite panel of international umpires.

The 52-year-old Holdstock, who played in 16 First-Class and seven List-A games for Western Province and Boland, was joined on the panel by Pakistan's Ahsan Raza.

The duo are the 11th and 12th members of the panel as legendary Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar stepped down from the group.

Holdstock joins fellow Western Caper Marais Erasmus on the panel and the duo was set to stand in the first ODI between South Africa and the West Indies.

However, rain got in the permanent way of that game as it was washed out without a ball being bowled. Holdstock has officiated in five Tests, 42 ODIs and 48 T20s.

Holdstock's ascension to the elite group means South Africa now have three umpires in the international panel in Shaun George, Bongani Jele and Allahudien Paleker.

That means SA also join Australia (Rod Tucker and Paul Reiffel) and England (Michael Gough, Richard Kettleborough and Richard Illingworth) as the countries who have more than one umpire in the elite panel.