Although the West Indian is in the eye of a storm the Board of Control for Cricket in India is not willing to take up the issue with the ICC.
MUMBAI: Steve Bucknor is unlikely to go the Darrell Hair way. Although the West Indian is in the eye of a storm — for a few atrocious decisions most of which went against India during the ongoing Test in Sydney — the Board of Control for Cricket in India is not willing to take up the issue with the International Cricket Committee.
Some members of the Board blame Sunil Gavaskar’s cricket committee for giving Bucknor’s extension, but they say there won’t be any formal complaint against the 61-year-old West Indian.
“We’re disappointed with the umpiring. But it is up to the ICC,” said BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah. DNA answers some frequently asked questions about the selection of the umpires after talking to ICC and BCCI officials.
How many panels of umpires are there in the ICC?
Two panels — international and elite.
How are they formed?
Each full member (there are 10 of them) nominates two onfield umpires and one third umpire. That is thirty, out of which 10 are promoted to elite Panel. Two more will soon be added to the Elite panel.
Who selects the Elite panel?
The ICC cricket committee. The committee is headed by Sunil Gavaskar. Each umpire is given a contract. The contract period differs for each individual. Some are given one year and some two-year contact.
Why there is no Indian in the Elite panel?
Because they are not considered good enough by the Gavaskar-led cricket committee. The Indian Board agrees to that view. Amish Saheba, Suresh Shastri and GA Pratap Kumar (3rd umpire) are in the international panel.
How are the umpires’ performances reviewed?
It is a continuous process. Captains and match referees give their reports on each umpire to the ICC. The umpires are given feedback about their job in regular intervals. But ICC says no single match performance is taken in isolation. Every performance is taken into consideration in conjunction with the umpire’s overall performance.
What is the ICC’s take on Elite umpires?
All the 10 Elite umpires have about 95 per cent accuracy.
What about Steve Bucknor’s accuracy?
He was nominated for the best umpire award last year. His Sydney performance will not be taken in isolation.
Can an umpire be removed from the international?
That is cricket committee’s prerogative. It consists of Sunil Gavaskar (chairman), Ian Bishop, Mark Taylor, Mahela Jayawardene, Tim May, Tom Moody, Duleep Mendis, Simon Taufel, Ranjan Madugalle, Keith Bradshaw, David Kendix, Michael Holding and Craig Wright.
Who is the best of the Elite?
There is no ranking system for the umpires. Some could be better than others but ICC deems each one is as good as the other. Simon Tauffell had won the best umpire award last year.
Is there any age limit to be an umpire?
The aim is to have the best umpire, young or old — 25 or 75.
How is the appointment made for a Test or an ODI?
The ICC management mostly consisting of is umpires manager Doug Cowie, general manager Dav Richardson and CEO Malcolm Speed. The yardstick is neutrality.
Can Bucknor go Darrell Hair way?
It was a rare decision taken by the ICC executive body which said it had lost confidence on the Australian following a complaint from the PCB. The BCCI has not lodged any complaint against Bucknor.
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