Eden's standing ovation for Bucknor

Crowds at Eden Gardens rose to their feet to laud Steve Bucknor who on Wednesday became the first umpire to officiate in 100 Test matches.

Crowds at the Eden Gardens stadium rose to their feet to laud West Indian Steve Bucknor who on Wednesday became the first umpire in cricket history to officiate in 100 Test matches.

Bucknor, who began umpiring in 1988-89 in Jamaica, reached the personal milestone on a sunny morning as India went in to bat against Pakistan in the second of the three Test series.

Before the match got off, Indian cricket officials and the Indian and Pakistani captains Sourav Ganguly and Inzamam-ul-Haq respectively came out into the field along with Bucknor.

The lanky West Indian, who has also the rare distinction of officiating in a football World Cup qualifier, was presented a silver plaque by former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief Jagmohan Dalmiya.

As Bucknor received the honour, the crowds, while still coming into the stadium, roared and accorded him a standing ovation.

Bucknor has said his aim now was to be able to officiate in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. "That is my only aim now. Anything after that would be a bonus."

He has already officiated in four consecutive World Cup finals.

Bucknor said he had no umpiring idol, but "as I have done more top games with David Shepherd, he is my favourite top of the line".

He rates former Australian captain Steve Waugh as the toughest captain to deal with on the field. "He is a tough nut to crack and he demands everything of what belongs to him."

He finds Inzamam the easiest captain to handle.