ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed sought to convey the impression on Tuesday that the world body wasn't bowing to pressure from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) whilst replacing Bucknor with New Zealander Billy Bowden, but no one was buying that line. Bowden and Pakistani Asad Rauf will team up for the Perth Test and will also stand, as per the original postings, in the final Test due to begin in Adelaide on January 24.
Demands
It may be recalled that only the previous day, the ICC had said it wouldn't entertain demands by countries for change of umpires.
Additionally, Speed said the ICC's chief referee Ranjan Madugalle would fly out to Perth as a 'mediator' between skippers Anil Kumble and Ricky Ponting to dissipate any ill-feeling lingering from the acrimonious Sydney Test, adding that South African Mike Procter, who handed out a three-Test ban to Harbhajan Singh, would continue as match referee for the remainder of the series.
"It is accepted that Steve, and his on-field colleague Mark Benson, did not have good games by their very high standards. We feel that given the added pressure and attention Steve's presence would have at the third Test, it is better for the match and for Steve himself if he does not take part," Speed said. "What we've seen over the last week is a lot of criticism of umpiring decisions, a lot of ill feeling. It is an extraordinary set of circumstances. We need to alleviate some of the tension focused on this match and one way of doing that is to bring in a new umpiring team."
The Australian was quick to add, however, that the ICC hadn't been swayed by India's strong protest against the umpiring at Sydney, or indeed their demand that the 'incompetent umpires' not stand in the rest of the series, as manager Chetan Chauhan had put it at the end of the Sydney Test.
"It is important to stress that Steve has not been replaced due to any representations made by any team or individuals," Speed observed, trying to make the best of a bad deal. "The ICC remains the sole body responsible for the appointment of umpires. No team has the right to object to any appointment. The decision by the ICC to replace Steve for this match was made in the best interests of the game and the series."
Bucknor’s history
Bucknor has a history of selling the Indians short over the last several years, and made a succession of mistakes in Sydney though interestingly, fewer than his on-field colleague, Benson. The Englishman, however, has curiously escaped the brunt of the fury, perhaps also because he wasn't pencilled in to stand in any of the remaining games. Saying that, Bucknor was the man who wrongly gave Andrew Symonds not out in Australia's first innings after a thick edge to the 'keeper, and Rahul Dravid out caught behind in India's second when the ball made contact only with the pad. Both decisions came at important times in the match.
Former Sri Lankan skipper Madugalle has been asked to travel to Perth to assist Procter and the two captains in re-establishing an atmosphere of goodwill and mutual respect between the teams.
"We are bringing Ranjan in as a facilitator in an effort to prevent any ill-feeling that may have been present at the Sydney Test from rolling over to Perth," Speed pointed out. "Ranjan is our chief referee and a highly respected figure within the game. He will remind the captains and other players of their responsibilities to conduct themselves in line with the Spirit of Cricket.
"I am sure the captains will respond well to that, and that Ranjan will perform that task very efficiently," Speed reiterated.