ICC Elite Panel umpire Steve Bucknor will break the world Test record for umpiring appearances this Thursday (13th June), when he officiates in the third npower Test between England and Sri Lanka at Old Trafford.

Bucknor's last Test in Lahore was his 66th match, which brought him level with current record holder Dickie Bird of England. Bucknor was due to move past Bird's record during the abandoned Pakistan v New Zealand Test in Karachi.

"Steve is an outstanding umpire who has the respect of international cricketers throughout the world," said David Richardson, the ICC's General Manager-Cricket. "He is an excellent decision maker who controls a match with an authority that allows him to work well with players. Off the field, his disciplined lifestyle and commitment to personal fitness have been important in enabling him to reach this milestone. They are also characteristics that set an example for other aspiring umpires to follow," he added.

Steve made his Test match debut during the 1988/89 series in the Caribbean between the West Indies and India. Since then he has umpired with distinction around the world, appearing in 86 One Day Internationals to sit alongside his Test record.

A keen soccer enthusiast, he is the only official to have taken part in both World Cup cricket and football, having refereed a World Cup soccer international between El Salvador and the Netherlands.

At Old Trafford Steve will be partnered in his record-breaking 67th Test by fellow Elite Panel umpire Dave Orchard. Both will then officiate in the NatWest triangular One Day International series.

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