The controversy between West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor and India does not seem to end. In his latest allegation, Bucknor points to Indian coffers for causing his exit from the series after the Sydney gate blew out of proportion.
Bucknor attributed the money power of the BCCI as the reason why he was forced to step down from the Test in Perth after the second Test between India and Australia in Sydney in 2008 got out of hand. While himself guilty of making decisions that were decidedly wrong, Bucknor has chosen to point out to the fact that the BCCI could exercise its power after the players complained because “some people are more equal than others.”
Bucknor stated, “I have survived for a long time. Had it not been for strong-willed people within the ICC, I might have been out due to negative reactions from certain quarters. When you speak to a captain and he’s not happy, you are reported. If his (national) association is strong enough they may believe that they should take action. Oh, this umpire shouldn’t be within the system because the captain is seeing something wrong.”
Having stood in five World Cup finals, Bucknor will now officially retire from the game after the final Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town, his 128th in his umpiring career.
