24 February,2009 10:19 AM IST | | A Correspondent
That's what Indian players could well feel after reading about Bucknor's quitting plans Official retirement! Umpire Steve Bucknor, who is to retire from international cricket in March
'West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor, who has officiated in a record 126 Tests, will retire from international matches in March.' If members of the Indian team read these lines in New Zealand today, there is a fat chance that they will heave a sigh of relief.
At his worst
For, Bucknor has been at his worst when it comes to India. The controversial Sydney Test of 2008 comes quick to mind when Messers Bucknor and (Mark) Benson played their part in Australia snatching away India's chances of avoiding defeat. One of Bucknor's blunders concerned man of the match Andrew Symonds, who was caught behind off a thick edge off Ishant Sharma but was not given out. Symonds went on to score a big hundred.
In the second innings, Symonds was trapped by Anil Kumble's wrong 'un but Bucknor ruled him not out. When Hawk-Eye suggested that Bucknor was right, Aussie commentator Bill Lawry remarked: "Hawk-Eye has been on the booze."
Sachin Tendulkar for one has been at the receiving end of Bucknor's goof-ups. The master batsman will remember his dismissal in the Brisbane Test against Australia in 2003 when Bucknor adjudged him leg before to Jason Gillespie, whose delivery was going outside off-stump. India managed to draw that Test thanks to supreme batting by Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.
Later in the series, in the fourth and final Test at Sydney, Bucknor failed to grant the Indians a few leg before verdicts when the Aussies were under the gun. A victory could have got India their first Test series win Down Under.
100th Test
Bucknor erred even in his 100th Test during the India vs Pakistan battle at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. He raised his dreaded finger giving Tendulkar out caught behind when he didn't get a touch.
Bucknor (62) will be credited for his longevity at the international level (1989 to 2009) and the fact that he umpired in five ICC World Cups. But he will be remembered for his gaffes too.
