Umpire Steve Bucknor rues his past mistakes

Former umpire Steve Bucknor admitted the mistakes he made during the infamous Sydney Test of 2008 between Australia and India. Horrendous umpiring in that match from Bucknor and Mark Benson saw India losing a game which they could have won. It proved to be a series-defining moment as India won and drew the next two matches respectively.

In particular, Bucknor spoke about two mistakes that haunted him. Speaking to Mid-Day, the West Indian umpire recounted his experience.

Bucknor said, “I made two mistakes in the Sydney Test in 2008. Mistake one, which happened when India were doing well, allowed an Australian batsman to get a hundred. Mistake two, on day five, might have cost India the game. But still, they are two mistakes over five days. Was I the first umpire to make two mistakes in a Test? Still, those two mistakes seem to have haunted me.”

The first mistake that Bucknor refers to was committed when Andrew Symonds was at the crease. When the all-rounder was batting on 30, he edged a delivery from Ishant Sharma to MS Dhoni but Bucknor ruled in favour of the batsman. Symonds went on to smash 162 and rescued Australia from the perilous position of 134/6.

The other mistake is likely to be Rahul Dravid’s dismissal on the final day. When India were fighting for a draw, Bucknor ruled Dravid caught behind. However, the ball had just brushed his front pad and his bat was well tucked behind it. Michael Clarke later wrapped the Indian innings as Australia gained an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Bucknor along with Benson was heavily criticised for the poor outing. It also highlighted the importance of video referrals and soon eased the way for the Decision Review System (DRS) in international cricket.