January 20, 2008	Sunday	Muharram 10, 1429

KINGSTON (Jamaica), Jan 19: Steve Bucknor has said that he would carry on officiating at the international stage for another year if asked to by the ICC, cricket’s world governing body.

Bucknor, ICC’s Elite Panel umpire, was removed from the third Test between Australia and India in Perth after the tourists complained over his performance in the testy second Test at Sydney.

Speaking to the media personnel during the Carib Beer Series match between Jamaica and Guyana here at the Sabina Park, Bucknor, 61, said he wasn’t going to quit immediately.“I’m in reasonably good physical condition, seeing reasonably well,” Bucknor, whose contract ends in March, said.

“So I’ll go on until I think it is necessary. If I’m asked to continue umpiring, I’m going to think seriously about continuing. I would not wish to go on beyond another year. If I’m asked to go on I would accept, but not beyond another year.”

Bucknor has stood in 120 Tests and 167 ODIs, including five consecutive World Cup finals. His career suffered a barrier in the 2007 World Cup final at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, when he, along with the other officials, miscalculated the rules regarding bad light.

Bucknor’s coming international assignment is in Bangladesh next month where South Africa tour for two Tests and three one-dayers.—Agencies