Johannesburg, Oct 10 (IANS) Indian umpire Suresh Shastri will officiate at two inter-provincial matches in South Africa over the next week as the first step of an exchange programme between Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The cricket authorities of the two countries have embarked on an international umpire exchange programme, where two umpires from each nation will officiate in the premier first-class competitions of the other board each season.

This programme was initiated by CSA General Manager of Cricket Operations, Brian Basson with the outgoing BCCI organising secretary, Niranjan Shah, in Malaysia earlier this year.

Shastri, who is currently one of the BCCI representatives on the ICC International Panel, arrived in South Africa Sunday and started Thursday at the match between hosts Nashua Dolphins and Bizhub Highveld Lions at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban.

This is the second international umpire exchange programme that CSA has in place, the other being with New Zealand, which has now been in operation for 11 seasons. South Africa, New Zealand and India are the only countries at present with an international umpire exchange programme at this level.

“CSA is confident that this international umpire exchange programme, whereby umpires are afforded the opportunity of officiating in premier first-class competitions in overseas countries, will assist participating countries in producing quality umpires for international recognition in the future,” said Basson.

Shastri will also be officiating in the match between Chevrolet Warriors and Nashua Titans at Buffalo Park in East London Oct 16-19.