England's David Shepherd and South African Rudi Koertzen had officiated in more matches than the West Indian Bucknor.
MOHALI: The crucial Champions Trophy clash between India and Australia was a landmark match for umpire Steve Bucknor as he became only the third official to stand in his 150 one-day internationals.
Only England's David Shepherd and South African Rudi Koertzen had officiated in more matches than the West Indian Bucknor and only four others have done 100 or more.
"I never thought I would get this far as, back when I started, there was the chance to stand in just a few matches every year," the 60-year-old Jamaican said.
"But now I can look back and think about the ICC Cricket World Cups and many other matches I have umpired and it makes me feel very proud."
ICC President Percy Sonn paid a special tribute to Bucknor when he said: "To reach the top in any profession you have to be very good and Steve is exactly that.
"This landmark is a tribute to Steve's skill, dedication and consistency, all qualities that are needed to be a top umpire."
In addition to umpiring in 150 ODIs, Bucknor has also stood in more Test matches - 113 - than anyone else, but cricket is not the only sport in which he officiated at the top level.
He was also an international soccer referee, and there was a chance we could have seen him take charge in World Cup football.
"Not really and I did not leave football for cricket," he said. "It was just that I got too old for football refereeing when FIFA lowered its retirement age from 50 to 45 so that gave me the chance to focus on cricket."
Bucknor made his ODI debut in March 1989 when he stood in the match between the West Indies and India in Antigua.
The home side, led by Vivian Richards, won that match by eight wickets thanks to 117 from Gordon Greenidge and four wickets from Ian Bishop.
India was captained by its current Chairman of Selectors Dilip Vengsarkar, who top-scored with 88.
Bucknor made rapid progress and had the honour of standing in the 1992 World Cup final between Pakistan and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
He would go on to officiate in three more World Cup finals, a unique record that might go unmatched.
"That first World Cup was a real highlight for me," he said.
"I was only a relatively junior umpire back then and never thought I had a chance of standing in the final but I was chosen and have been fortunate enough to stand in every one since."
"Hard work, physical fitness and being mentally prepared," he said were the secret behind his longevity.
"The hard work comes from constantly reading up on the laws and the playing conditions so you always know what you are doing.
"The physical fitness is important too because if you are not right in that area then you will struggle to do the job. That fitness for me is all about maintaining a strong mid-section of the body, the abdominal and back muscles.
"Standing for seven or eight hours a day is hard work but if those muscles are right then you can do it.
"On top of that you have to be mentally prepared and that means knowing about the teams you are going to umpire and also being aware of what conditions you will face and dealing with them so you can concentrate on the job in hand."
And how have things changed for umpires during his time at the highest level?
"Technology has made a big difference," said Bucknor. "When I started there was barely any television coverage in some countries but now almost everyone has access to matches.
"That means there are many more living room umpires now who see the correct answer to an appeal after watching ten replays."
Bucknor is now eager to officiate in the World Cup at home next year.
"That is an exciting prospect," he said with a smile. "It would be nice to stand in final number five."
Record for most ODIs by umpires:
172 - David Shepherd
156 - Rudi Koertzen
150* - Steve Bucknor
126 - Daryl Harper
124 - Darrell Hair
107 - David Orchard
100 - Steve Dunne
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