Widely respected and instantly recognisable (with his characteristic of nodding gently before raising the dreaded finger), "Slow Death Bucknor" has umpired in more Test matches than anyone else, breaking Dickie Bird's record in 2002, and in March 2005 he became the first umpire to stand in 100 Tests, and only David Shepherd and Rudi Koertzen have umpired more ODIs. Bucknor also stood in five successive World Cup finals (1992 to 2007), the middle three with Shepherd.

Those records are almost certain to be extended further as he is not scheduled to retire until 2011, but whether he can continue with a punishing workload remains to be seen. There have been signs of late that he is not quite at the top of his game, and a few errors have tarnished a previously unblemished reputation - not least his role in misinterpreting the rules regarding bad light, which caused the farcical finish to the World Cup final in April 2007 and led to his suspension for the Twenty20 World Championships in September. Things turned progressively worse in the following months, when he was removed by the ICC from officiating in the third Test between Australia and India in Perth after several contentious decisions contributed to India's defeat in the second Test in Sydney in January 2008.

Bucknor's original conversion to umpiring was due in part to his own playing experience in his native Montego Bay, where repeatedly incorrect decisions prompted him to don the white coat in the cause of fairness. The habit of taking his time has been there from the outset. "I have never been hasty to make decisions," he said. "And, by nature, I like to take my time to do things. Patience is a virtue for me. I don't know how many other umpires believe it's a good way to do it. But I'm happy with the method and hopefully others will also take their time to make important decisions."

Bucknor's rise to international status was rapid. His appointment for the 1992 final followed just four Tests and a handful of one-day internationals. At six foot three he has a commanding view of proceedings, and he can also draw on his experience of football, where he refereed in a World Cup qualifier. He takes nothing for granted and is a man of routine, from his usual early-morning routine - exercises, a verse from the Bible and the morning papers - before arriving at the ground in good time.
Steven Price

• Australia v India 2007-08 (Aug 20, 2008)
  
• Bucknor returns to Tests (Feb 14, 2008)
  
• The thin line between hard and fair (Jan 24, 2008)
  
• ICC president-elect concerned over Gavaskar (Jan 21, 2008)
  
• Bucknor wants to continue for another year (Jan 19, 2008)
  

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Jun 6, 2008 Steve Bucknor and Darrell Hair decide to change the ball © Getty Images

May 19, 2008 Steve Bucknor and Simon Taufel decide to change the ball © Getty Images

May 16, 2008 The umpires offer the light to New Zealand during the second session © Getty Images

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