FORMER Kent all-rounder Nigel Llong and ex-Sussex wicketkeeper Ian Gould have been promoted to the full list of first-class umpires following the retirements of Ray Julian and Bob White. Llong, released by the county in 1999 after 11 years service with the club, has spent two summers on the reserve list.

Like former Kent skipper Mark Benson, who was appointed to the full list in 2000, Llong will be unable to stand in games involving Kent for a minimum of three seasons. Four new umpires have been added to the reserve list including former Yorkshire seamer Peter Hartley, Alan Hill, Richard Kettleborough and ex-Nottinghamshire and England opening bat Tim Robinson.