By IANS
St. John’s (Antigua) : The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Wednesday hit out at the International Cricket Council (ICC) for removing umpire Steve Bucknor from the third India-Australia Test, saying the move might have set a “dangerous precedent”.
WICB defended the Jamaica-born Bucknor, whose umpiring errors, as borne out by television replays, contributed to India’s 122-run defeat in the second Test in Sydney last week – and raised a furore worldwide.
“A dangerous precedent may have been set by the ICC. This is the reaction of WICB president Julian R. Hunte to the replacement of umpire Bucknor from the third Test match in the Australia-India series,” said a WICB statement here.
While acknowledging that even the best of umpires make mistakes, Hunte pointed out that they too are human beings and that there are circumstances that affect their judgment.
“What worries us is whether the action of the ICC in the case of Mr. Bucknor might create even more problems for the ICC and international cricket down the line,” he said.
India’s tour plunged into rough waters after Bucknor and Englishman Mark Benson gave several wrong decisions, as shown by television replays, which snowballed into a major controversy.
This, with the allegations of racial comments against Harbhajan Singh, forced the Indian cricket board to formally ask the ICC Monday to rescind the off-spinner’s ban and remove the two umpires from the last two Tests.
The ICC, sensing grave consequences, Tuesday replaced Bucknor with New Zealander Billy Bowden who will now stand with Pakistan’s Asad Rauf. Bowden and Rauf will also officiate in the fourth Test at Adelaide, starting Jan 24, as planned before the series.
Hunte has asked the ICC to provide additional information that would be useful in reviewing the situation before the WICB takes further steps on the issue.
Specifically the WICB has asked for copies of:
* All communications between the ICC and Mr. Bucknor on this matter.
* All communications between the ICC and any other parties, including member boards, on this matter.
* Transcripts of news releases, statements and news conferences on this matter.
* Any comments made by the match referee [Mike Procter] on the umpiring during the first two Test matches between India and Australia.
* Any other relevant documents.
It is natural for the WICB to defend the Montego Bay-born Bucknor, 61, as the senior ICC Elite Panel official belongs to the Caribbean. He has officiated in 120 Tests and 167 One-Day Internationals.