Richard Kettleborough is on the verge of making history as he prepares to become England's most capped on-field umpire in Test cricket. The 52-year-old will officiate his 93rd Test match when West Indies face Australia in the second Test in Grenada, starting this Friday.

Kettleborough expressed his pride and honor in surpassing his mentor, the late David Shepherd, who was a significant influence in his career. "To overtake the late, great David Shepherd – who was one of my idols growing up – is something I'm very proud of," Kettleborough shared on the England and Wales Cricket Board website.

Shepherd's advice to Kettleborough has been a guiding principle throughout his career: "If you can look yourself in the mirror at the end of a day's play and say you gave honest decisions based on what you saw, then you should sleep well." Kettleborough affirmed that he has adhered to this philosophy every day of his umpiring career.

Born in Sheffield, Kettleborough began his Test umpiring career 15 years ago in Galle. He now aspires to become the first Englishman to officiate in 100 Test matches. "I've always seen Test cricket as the pinnacle of the game," he added. "So getting to 100 on-field Test matches would be the ultimate achievement."

Currently, Pakistan's Aleem Dar holds the record for the most Test matches umpired, with 145 appearances. Kettleborough's journey is a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport, and his upcoming milestone is a significant moment in cricket history.

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