Bucknor cries foul

Bucknor like all kids caught red-handed doing a mischief, is upset that he is no longer part of the India - Australia tour.

"I am disappointed that I am not continuing the tour," he said.

"I consider it a sad day to see umpires sidelined after making only two wrong decisions out of a record 35 appeals."

Yes it would be unfair if he is axed for 2 wrong decisions out of 35 appeals. But Bucknor has history of consistent incompetence including the major goof up in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup Final.

Here's a partial list on Bucknor related incidents.

Bucknor riles the Indians

On age and technology

Pakistan v India, 2nd Test, Lahore, 3rd day

The only jarring part of the day came at the start of the Indian innings, when the course of play was altered not by the players of either side, but by the incompetence of an umpire. Steve Bucknor was appalling during India's tour of Australia, and consistently so, through first the Tests and then the one-dayers. I had argued then that Bucknor's powers seem to have diminished with age - for umpiring relies on physical faculties that only get worse as the years go by - and that umpires should be regularly tested by the ICC to see if their abilities are still intact.

It is scandolous that despite the Indian team's complaints about him, based on an entire series and not a handful of stray understandable mistakes, the ICC has taken no action on this matter. John Wright, India's coach, reportedly complained to the match referee yesterday about the poor umpiring, and Bucknor gave India more reason for anguish today. After not upholding a number of good appeals during Pakistan's innings, he gave Aakash Chopra out lbw, after Chopra had inside-edged the ball. Given that Rahul Dravid was out immediately afterwards, run out without facing a ball, Bucknor's mistake had a huge impact on the game. It is unfair to Bucknor that his legacy as an umpire should be tarnished by his performance when he is clearly past the peak of his powers, and it is unfair on the players as well.

India v Pakistan, 2nd Test, Kolkata, 3rd day

Rahul Dravid and Tendulkar had added 98 in 168 balls when Bucknor struck. Tendulkar was beaten by the late swing of a ball from Abdul Razzaq, and the daylight between bat and ball was visible from the press box, at the furthest and highest part of the ground. Bucknor, after his usual deliberation, lifted his finger. Tendulkar shook his head and walked off. India have been hard done by Bucknor before, but they were still in a strong position as the day ended.

I'll stop here. The list is long. You get the point ...