Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Steve Bucknor Retired from Test Cricket

Steve Bucknor, one of the most respected cricket umpires of this era, has recently retired from test cricket at the end of the third test between Australia and South Africa at Cape Town. The 62-year-old umpire holds the record for officiating 128 test matches and Steve Bucknor is the first umpire to reach the 100-test mark in the history of cricket. The Jamaican would also bid farewell to ODI cricket this month, and thus, ending his umpiring career at international level.

Steve Bucknor is also credited with a record for officiating five ICC World Cup finals in a row. No other umpire has this achievement in their career. He has officiated in 179 ODI matches, second only to South African umpire Rudi Koertzen. After the end of the third test, Bucknor received a lap of honor paid by the cricketers of both teams and was honored with a standing ovation by the crowed. ICC Chief Haroon Lorgat and ICC general manager David Richardson paid their tribute to this great umpire. Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was full of praise about Steve Bucknor, stating that he always felt privileged while playing a match that Bucknor officiated.

There is no doubt, Steve Bucknor is one of the great umpires cricket has ever seen in its history and he would remain as a great character among the players, fans as well as his colleagues.

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