Top brass from Cup Match clubs Somerset and St.George’s remained silent yesterday amid claims Immigration officials had denied work permits to overseas cricket umpires whose services had been sought to officiate next month’s classic at Wellington Oval.

It is understood both clubs had agreed to invite overseas umpires to take charge of local cricket’s premier showpiece, but have had their requests for work permits denied by the Department of Immigration — who have apparently sympathised with a group of local umpires said to be up in arms over the prospect of being again overlooked for the big assignment.

In an unprecedented move last year, retired English umpires David Shepherd and Mervyn Kitchen became the first overseas umpires to officiate in the 105-year history of Cup Match while former West Indies Test skipper Clive Lloyd served as match referee.

When contacted, Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association (BCUA) officials refused to comment on the matter, but did acknowledge the fact that association members had flatly rejected the two Cup Match clubs’ proposal for umpires this year. Efforts to obtain comment from the Department of Immigration also proved fruitless, with permanent secretary for Labour and Immigration Robert Horton explaining: “We (at the Ministry) don’t discuss any information on work permits except with the applicants themselves in any area.

“This is something we simply do not do, and so I certainly cannot offer any comment on the matter.”

Meanwhile, local umpire Steven Douglas has been promoted to the ICC Associate and Affiliate International Umpires Panels.

The Associate and Affiliate International Umpires Panel, formed in June 2006, serves as the pinnacle for umpires heralding from non-Test playing Members — with selection achieved through each of the five ICC Development Program Regional Umpires Panels.

Douglas now joins fellow Bermudian umpire Roger Dill on the list.

[bul]Well-respected local umpire Jeff Pitcher is steadily recovering from a stroke in King Edward Memorial Hospital, sources have told The Royal Gazette.

The former Islanders cricketer suffered a stroke at his St.David’s home last month, but is now expected to make a full recovery.

Pitcher umpired the 2005 Cup Match classic at Wellington Oval with then BCUA executive Lester Harnett.