May 16, 2006 05:08 PM
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(Updated May 17, 2006 08:13 AM)
One and only best hunter in Game of Cricket – Mr Steve Bucknor, you may be asking me why I am calling him hunter. Because he is specialized in hunting a team of World’s richest sports body – Team India. He is specialized in hunting world’s richest cricket – Sachin Tendulkar.Then obviously he is the best hunter.
About Mr Bucknor
Stephen Anthony Bucknor was born on May 31, 1946 in Jamaica. He has started his career as FIFA football referee. He was on the football field till 1988 (it would have been better if he would have remained there only, but he has smartly chosen cricket as Umpire in cricket is safer than Referee in Football). In 1989 he joined as an international cricket umpire. For initial part of his career he went unnoticed. He came into limelight first time in 1992 world cup final in Australia. Since then, thanks to performance of West Indies cricket team, Steve Bucknor has appeared in record 4 world cup finals, earlier the record was held by Mr Harold ''Dickie'' Bird for standing in 3 world cup finals.From 1992 onwards Mr Bucknor is coming to news for many reasons, more negative then positive. Mr Bucknor was included in Elite Panel of Umpires in 2002. He is one of the only 3 Umpires in the panel since its inception.
Since his debut in 1989, Mr Bucknor has officiated in 111 Test Matches which is a record for any umpire. Mr Bucknor has officiated in 141 ODIs which is 3rd highest behind DR Shepherd (172) and RE Koertzen (151). Source: Official website of ICC.
Style & Attitude of Mr Bucknor
Very popularly Mr Bucknor is known as Slow “Death Bucknor” or “Slow death”. He is known for his slow decision making process. He takes little more time than any other umpire - perhaps this might be reason for shifting from football to Cricket, as football needs quick decision making. He likes to check each aspect of the case, and perhaps he may be referring to ICC rule book before giving decision. Other noticeable point about Mr Bucknor is he gives his decision vocally first and then gives signal. He is one of the few umpires who use his head along with finger to give decision. He is always having careless and autocratic attitude, you can see next section for his careless attitude
Mr Bucknor’s Statements about Mistakes
Once he was asked about his mistake especially with Sachin and he replied - I take it as just another mistake and move on from there. He has also said after 2003 India Vs Australia series that Bucknor said that he had learnt to live with his mistakes and there was little he could do to change them.
Critical Analysis of Mr Bucknor’s Style & Practice
Umpiring is spontaneous work. It depends on your sharp eyesight, spontaneous judgment and concentration on the field. I have recently listened on one news channel about difference between Mr Bucknor style and other’s. They have given report that Mr Bucknor tries to analyze each decision in his mind first, which is against the basic principals of Umpiring and this can be the reasons of his poor performance. His autocratic approach is dangerous for game. Form the very beginning he never likes the idea of 3rd Umpire.In the initial phase, he has refused to refer to 3rd umpire on several occasions. Even today he is raising voice against more responsibility to 3rd Umpire. He can oppose ICC so he is blaming TV companies to hide his mistakes. He wants to carry on with his mistakes. So he is never willing to accept the mistake and improve on it. Lastly, think about the batsman against Mr Bucknor - after each appeal, batsman is not sure whether he is out or not out till the next balls is delivered. Mr Bucknor can come out of sleep and give him out anytime.
Let’s check some of the big blunders of Mr Bucknor
2nd test match 1992, India Vs South Africa at Johannesburg. South Africa was reduced to 11 for 3. Top five batsmen were not able to enter into double figure. At 73 for 5, there was a run out appeal against Jonty Rhodes. Mr Bucknor gave the verdict – Not out, even though it was out. He has never bothered refer to 3rd umpireand South Africa reach score of 292 and won the match.
Sydney, 2004, India Vs Australia. It was Australia batting in both innings. Mr Bucknor has given total 5 + LBW not out and save a match 7 series for Australia.
1998, India Vs Pakistan at Kolkata. Shoaib obstructed Sachin and appealed for run out. Mr Bucknor ignored his obstructions and referred matter to 3rd umpire.
2004, India Vs Pakistan at Pakistan. He was gesturing against Indian wicket keeper Parthiv Patel in a humiliating manner.
2004, India Vs Pakistan at Pakistan. Akash Chopra was having a huge inside edge but Mr Bucknor was having other ideas and given him out.
March 2005, at Kolkata, India Vs Pakistan. Sachin Tendulkar was requesting Mr Bucknor for bad light but he was refusing him constantly. A young man was not able to see the ball clearly and a grand pa was able to see that clearly. After few over Mr Bucknor has again hunted Sachin – Caught behind to Abdul Razzak. In bad light where batsman fails to see the ball clearly Mr Bucknor saw a clear nick and sent Sachin to pavilion. Report says that Sachin was having tears in his eyes when he entered dressing room.
This list is endless ….
Approach of BCCI
Before both Pakistan tour in last few years BCCI had sent their team to check the security at Pakistan but they have never thought about Mr Bucknor who is more dangerous than terrorist groups.Though BCCI is richest sport body in the world, it has not taken any steps to protect India from Mr Bucknor. We can recollect Arjun Rantunga & Sri Lanka cricket board in matter of Muralidharan. They have clearly told ICC that they don’t want Darrell Haier as umpire. In case of India, we have greedy Cricketing body and poor captains. Only Sourav was bold enough to oppose Mr Bucknor but it was too late. It should have been opposed in early 90s where Mr Cold (Azhar) was captain.
Nice one:
I read few words about Mr Bucknor and I am trying to rephrase for you -
“Whenever the Indians are bowling, Bucknor seems to be a representation of the three monkeys,refusing to hear an appeal, sense one or give a batsman out. But when it comes to Indian batting he turned out to be more animated,possibly because the index finger is itching towards sky.”
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India has won first tour match against Jamaica. India won by 116 runs. Best performers were Dhoni, made 49 of 26 balls and Munaf patel, claimed 3 wicket for 30 runs.
