Indian cricketers' nemesis Bucknor to quit after South Africa-Australia Test series

Johannesburg (South Africa), Feb.23 (ANI): West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor, who was at the centre of a bitter and controversial Test series between Australia and India last year, will retire next month.

The 63-year-old Jamaican has stood in a record 126 Tests and over 170 one-day internationals, but his last engagement will be the third Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town from March 19 to 23.

"I have notified the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the South Africa versus Australia series will be my last Test series," Bucknor told The Jamaica Gleaner newspaper on Sunday.

"The third Test match in Cape Town will be my last Test," he said.

Bucknor was dumped by the ICC, and replaced by Billy Bowden, after Indian complaints over his performance in the second Test in Sydney last year, which was won by Australia.

Australia's Andrew Symonds was incorrectly given not out on 30 before going on to making an unbeaten 162 before India's Rahul Dravid was wrongly given out when he was battling to save the Test.

"The body is feeling quite good and I know I could go on for another two or three years. However, something inside me is telling me that it is time to go," said Bucknor.

The Montego Bay-born Bucknor will also be calling time on his involvement in ODIs soon with the two games between the West Indies and England in Barbados his last limited-overs assignments. (ANI)