Bucknor Serves as Trailblazer for W.I Umps

In naming the eight best umpires in the world to serve on its full-time elite panel, Malcolm Speed, the International Cricket Council's chief executive officer, described umpiring as one of the toughest tasks in international sport.

We can all agree with his assessment. Not only is the cricket umpire being called upon to adjudicate some of the most difficult decisions in sport, e.g. lbw and snicks to the 'keeper. He has to do his job under the glaring eye of the television camera and all the technology that comes with it.

All eight men that have made the ICC elite panel must be congratulated because all the Test captains were asked to make nominations and the marks achieved by the umpires from Test captains over the last four years were all given serious consideration in making the final choices.

That's why we must salute our very own Steve Bucknor on being named to the ICC's elite panel of umpires to stand in international matches for the next two years.

Bucknor is the West Indies' most experienced umpire by far. Since taking charge during the 1989 Cable & Wireless Series against India, he has now stood in 65 Tests, 83 limited-overs internationals and has had the privilege of standing in the last three World Cup finals.

While we will have to admit that our cricket team has not been performing in the way that we have grown accustomed over the years, Bucknor has been like a trailblazer on the international circuit and has gained much respect right around the world.

We are confident that Bucknor will continue to do the admirable job that he has been doing over the last 13 years. He has always set a high standard for himself and is always willing to work hard at being the best that he can be.

With the ICC likely to expand the international panel and blood new talent in the coming years, it provides a wonderful opportunity for other umpires in the region to aspire to great and lofty heights. They now have evidence that they can make it to the top of the class.

The WICB has committed itself over the years to developing the umpires in our region. We have hosted many workshops and have brought officials from other nations to the West Indies to pass on their experience and their knowledge to our men in the "white coat".

We are hoping to deepen our relationship in the coming years with the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association. We want to produce more Steve Bucknors as we strive to lift the standard of our game in the region.

Umpiring, as we all know, is a vital part of the game. One wrong decision can transform the complexion of a match and that's another reason we have to pay great attention to this area of the game as equally as we are our players.