Umpires Billy Bowden (left) and Steve Bucknor caught in a relaxed mood before the warm-up game between the Netherlands and Kenya at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium yesterday. - Adrian frater

LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

Jamaican umpire Steve Bucknor enters the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup with the most experience and will most likely stand in his fifth straight final. The only thing stopping him is the West Indies team.

Also called 'Slow Death Bucknor' because of his long pause before making a decision, Bucknor has stood in 34 World Cup matches and the last four finals. West Indies fans won't mind their team being at the final at the expense of Bucknor's fifth appearance as umpires are not allowed to officiate in the final if their country, or region in the case of Bucknor, is playing.

Semi-final goal

Bucknor, 60, made an impression on the international scene shortly after appearing. Following only a handful of matches, he was chosen for the 1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and was then selected for the final.

"I had set the semi-final as my goal," Bucknor told Star Sports on Tuesday after the warm-up match between India and the Netherlands.

"But as things progressed, I was not surprised when the final was given to me because I was told about all my reports and I was told I was doing very well so it was only for the West Indies to exit for me to go to the final."

For the next decade, Bucknor was widely regarded as the best in the business. He is the only umpire to have stood in more than 100 Tests (117) and has been in 153 ODIs.

Bucknor's partner for the past three finals was Englishman David Shepherd, the only umpire that has stood in more World Cup games with 46 appearances. If selected for another final, Bucknor will have a new partner as Shepherd retired in 2005.

Issuing justice

Bucknor always had a knack for issuing justice in the sporting world. A noted football referee as well, he has been the man in the middle for both sports since 1972. He officiated a football World Cup qualifying match between El Salvador and the Netherlands Antilles in 1988. However, he soon had to leave football as he approached FIFA's 45-year old age limit.

"I had to let go and I took cricket on full time," he recalled.

Bucknor, who hails from Montego Bay, is a sportsman at his core. He was a cricket all-rounder, kept goal and competed in the high jump while at Cornwall College. He also made his mark in coaching, winning the daCosta Cup in 1982 with his alma mater and coached National Premier League side Seba United briefly.

Like the players, Bucknor is excited to be participating in a World Cup hosted by the Caribbean and has been asked to deliver the Officials' Oath at the opening ceremony on Sunday.

"I'm delighted to know that there's a World Cup in the Caribbean and that I can be a part of it. I'm very happy about that," he said.

Retirement might be on the cards for Bucknor as he will be 64-years-old when the 2011 World Cup is held on the sub-continent, but he says he isn't looking that far ahead.

"I am hoping I can be around for another two years. I don't know what will happen if I'm given that opportunity to be around for another two years," he said.

"I feel in reasonably good physical condition. All my faculties are still with me. Who knows? If I feel young enough and strong enough I might go on."

Bucknor along with Mark Benson, Tony Hill and Asoka de Silva will work together in the first round in Group A in St. Kitts and Nevis, which includes Australia, South Africa, Scotland and the Netherlands.