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Bucknor defends umpiring style
10/12/2003 08:42 - (SA)
Brisbane - Steve Bucknor, the world's most experienced Test cricket umpire, has defended his officiating style and says delays on some lbw decisions often give him time to replay the delivery.
Bucknor was criticised during the drawn first Test between Australia and India when he adjudged Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar lbw to a ball that appeared to be heading over the stumps.
Rated among the game's top umpires for the past decade, Bucknor raised his finger well after bowler Jason Gillespie's loud appeal, surprising Tendulkar and the Australians.
The decision was branded a disgrace by former Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri and Bucknor came under further fire because he'd earlier given Australian batsmen the benefit of the doubt to three well-justified appeals.
Bucknor, 47, said on Wednesday he was unable to discuss the Tendulkar decision but felt subsequent claims that his umpiring form had been poor the past two years were unfair.
"Just recently I was umpiring the World Cup final so I don't understand what is happening, but at the moment I am pretty comfortable (with my form)," said Bucknor.
"(The criticism) doesn't bother me. Mistakes are going to be made. I know that. Everyone makes mistakes including myself."
Bucknor, a veteran of 83 Tests, has always taken a long time to make his decisions, particularly lbws.
Significant doubt
The time taken led to the suggestion that he must have had significant doubt about the Tendulkar decision.
But Bucknor said that was his standard practice and he'd stick with it as it was done to minimise errors.
"I give myself enough time to think about my decision, to replay just about everything about that delivery, and by so doing I should in the end be able to make that (correct) decision. Sometimes it doesn't go that way," he said.
"It's not because my brain is working slowly. Once the hit is made I have a fair idea of what my decision is. It's a matter of seeing whether something else could have happened."
A former international soccer referee, Bucknor, from Jamaica, said he had no thoughts of retirement and aimed to umpire at the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.
He will leave to officiate in Sri Lanka's current home series against England before returning to umpire in Steve Waugh's farewell Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground beginning January 2.
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