Bucknor set for record
Test appearance

When West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor stands behind the wickets at the bowling end, during the forthcoming series between Pakistan and New Zealand, he will be a step closer to making record number of appearances at the Test level.

The first Test at Lahore will be Bucknor's 66th match, bringing him level with current record holder Dickie Bird of England. He will then move past Bird in the next match -- his 67th -- in Karachi, and become the world's most experienced Test match official.

''Steve is an outstanding umpire who has the respect of international cricketers throughout the world,'' said ICC's General Manager-Cricket David Richardson.

"He is an excellent decision maker who controls a match with an authority that allows him to work well with players. Off the field, his disciplined lifestyle and commitment to personal fitness have been important in enabling him to reach this milestone.They are also characteristics that set an example for other aspiring umpires to follow," he added, in an ICC statement on Friday.

Bucknor made his Test match debut during the 1988-89 series in the Caribbean between the West Indies and India. Since then he has umpired with distinction around the world, appearing in 84 One-Day Internationals.

A keen soccer enthusiast, he is the only official to have taken part in both World Cup cricket and football, having refereed a World Cup soccer international between El Salvador and the Netherlands.

In Pakistan, Bucknor will be partnered by fellow-Elite Panel umpire Rudi Koertzen for the Tests in Lahore (1st to 5th May) and Karachi (8th to 12th May). Mike Procter will be the ICC Match Referee for the series.