Simon Taufel researches grounds, cities and airports before an overseas tour © Getty Images

In an interview to Nitin Naik in the Times of India, Simon Taufel saysit's not necessary to play at the highest level to become an umpire. In 2008, Taufel won his fifth-successive ICC Umpire of the Year award.

Being able to read the game and have a feel for it helps. Being able to anticipate play and having empathy for what the players are going through is very important to be a good match manager. You don't need to play at the highest level to be a good umpire, you just need to be a good student of the game and realise it's a players' game.

On his fitness routine:

Basically I do 8 to 12 cardio sessions a month depending upon travel and umpiring work. Then I add 6 to 8 strength sessions and report back to Jock every month with my maximum heart rate numbers from every session so he can track progress.

Match day is a low-key routine. The end of the day is more important when I do my warm down. This is normally a 30-minute walk or 15-min run or 15-min swim with a full body stretch. It helps circulation and allows me to be back fresh the next day.