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Bucknor dismisses criticism of his umpiring
December 10, 2003 15:30 IST
Steve Bucknor has dismissed media criticism of his umpiring, sparked by his controversial decision against India's Sachin Tendulkar in the first Test against Australia last week.
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The Jamaican umpire raised his finger at a half-hearted leg before wicket appeal from Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie in Brisbane, bringing a look of shock to the Indian batsman's face and stunned silence from the Gabba crowd."Just recently I was umpiring the World Cup final so I don't understand what is happening, but at the moment I am pretty comfortable [with my form]," Bucknor was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press in Brisbane.
"[The criticism] doesn't bother me. Mistakes are going to be made. I know that. Everyone makes mistakes including myself," added Bucknor.
Tendulkar, who made a duck, had not played a stroke to the delivery in question but television replays suggested the ball would have sailed over the stumps. Gillespie was walking back to his mark when Bucknor finally gave his decision.
Media commentators labelled Bucknor's decision in the drawn Test "a disgrace", "an insult" and "astonishing".
Bucknor, 57, said he could not discuss the Tendulkar decsion specifically.
"I give myself enough time to think about my decision, to replay just about everything about that delivery, and by so doing I should in the end be able to make that [correct] decision," said Bucknor, who has umpired in 84 Tests.
"Sometimes it doesn't go that way. It's not because my brain is working slowly."
Media in Australia and India have been quick to recall how Tendulkar, Test cricket's fifth-leading scorer, received several dubious decisions when India toured Australia four years ago.
Friday's second Test is at Adelaide Oval where Tendulkar was infamously given out lbw to Glenn McGrath by Australian umpire Daryl Harper after ducking into a short ball which hit the batsman on the shoulder.