Steve Bucknor

Calcutta: Steve Bucknor of the West Indies on Sunday became the third umpire to stand in his 150 one-day Internationals. He reached the milestone when he came out — along with co-umpire Billy Bowden of New Zealand — to officiate the crucial Champions Trophy match between India and Australia in Mohali.

England’s David Shepherd (156) and Rudi Koertzen of South Africa are the only two umpires to have officiated in more ODIs than the West Indian.

“I never thought I would get this far as, back when I started, there was the chance to stand in just a few matches every year. But now I can look back and think about the ICC Cricket World Cups and many other matches I have umpired and it makes me feel very proud,” the 60-year-old Jamaican was quoted as saying by an ICC press release.

Bucknor has already had quite a few records in his kitty. He has stood in more Test matches — 113 — than anyone else; he has also officiated in as many as four World Cup finals, and the next World Cup is already at the back of his mind.

“That is an exciting prospect,” he said with a smile. “It would be nice to stand in final No. 5.”

Most ODI appearances by umpires

The following is the list of umpires who have stood in 100 or more ODIs:

172 – David Shepherd
156 – Rudi Koertzen
150* – Steve Bucknor
126 – Daryl Harper
124 – Darrell Hair
107 – David Orchard
100 – Steve Dunne
(Till October 29, 2006)