The International Cricket Council expanded its elite panel of umpires to 12 on Wednesday by recalling Sri Lanka's Asoka de Silva and adding Australian Steve Davis to the current list of on-field Test officials.

The move was aimed at giving the top umpires more rest from international cricket, allowing them to work on their skills and mentor umpires at domestic level, an ICC statement said.

Five regional umpire managers will work with them to ensure peak performance and the officials will receive higher salaries, following recommendations made by an ICC umpiring task force.