What started out as nothing more than "a hobby for extra cash" back in 2012 will now take Betway SA20 umpire Siphelele Gasa to the grand stage of Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Gasa is the fourth South African recipient of the Betway SA20 and Cricket SA (CSA) Umpire Exchange Programme with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and The Hundred.
Lubabalo ‘Babs’ Gcuma, Stephen Harris and Arno Jacobs have all been afforded the opportunity before, with Englishmen Russell Warren, James Middlebrook, and Ian Blackwell coming to South Africa in return.
"I'm over the moon. It's a great honour to be selected," Gasa said. "I have never been to England at all, let alone Lord’s. It's one of the most iconic stadiums in the world. So, being able to set foot there, being in the middle, front-row, with the best seat in the house, it's going to be priceless.
"When I started, it was just weekend work and a simple way to make an extra R400 or R500 through umpiring," he candidly admits. "Over time, that weekend hobby turned into a fulltime career. Now, I’ve got the best seat in the house!"
Highlighting the importance of cross-border development, Betway SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith emphasised how these initiatives elevate standards across the sport:
"Our partnership with The Hundred and the ECB reflects a shared commitment to growing the game. This exchange gives our leading match officials invaluable international experience in new conditions and high-pressure environments, while strengthening our collaboration with the ECB."
Echoing Smith's sentiments on global growth and exchange, Vikram Banerjee, Managing Director of The Hundred, added:
"Collaboration between international leagues is essential to the long-term growth of world cricket. Through our exchange programme with SA20, we are delighted to welcome officials like Siphelele to the UK. Creating opportunities to officiate in different environments strengthens the quality of officiating and builds a more connected global cricket community."
Gasa believes having officiated in premier Betway SA20 fixtures over the past few seasons has prepared him for his trip.
He has also sourced information from his fellow professionals about the prevailing conditions, the unique natural lighting of the UK summer, and the iconic 2.5-metre slope that runs across the playing surface at Lord’s.
"Betway SA20 is a step up from domestic cricket with world-class Proteas players and international stars like Jos Buttler, Kane Williamson and Trent Boult on show in incredible atmospheres like the Wanderers and Gqeberha," Gasa explains. "To prepare for England, I’ve spoken with fellow umpires about the extra swing and the Lord’s slope, but most of my preparation is mental, mostly about revisiting the playing conditions and picturing the game beforehand."
Gasa will stand in three matches at Lord's, The Oval, and Southampton. He will also act as the fourth umpire in another match.