SYDNEY, Jan 7: The International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Monday it had no plans to bow to Indian demands to remove veteran West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor from the third Test against Australia in Perth later this month.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has demanded Bucknor be removed after criticism of the way Bucknor and England’s Mark Benson officiated during the explosive second Test in Sydney.

But cricket’s governing body said it had no plans to change officials amid fears the fuming Indians could pull the plug on their Australian tour.

“We have not received anything from the BCCI at this point in time,” an ICC spokesman told the Australian Associated Press. “We have no plans to change the appointments.”

Several key decisions during the second Test incensed India, who insisted they might not have lost to Australia by 122 runs had half the incorrect decisions gone their way.

The Indians were also angered by spin bowler Harbhajan Singh’s three-match ban for racially abusing Australia’s Andrew Symonds during the bad-tempered Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Bucknor has been appointed along with Pakistan’s Asad Rauf to officiate in the third Test. Benson is not scheduled to take part.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland indicated he was against nations having a say on umpire selection.

“As I understand it there’s specific detail within the playing regulations and the appointment of umpires that make it clear as to who appoints umpires,” he told reporters in Melbourne on Monday.

The BCCI have not indicated the Indian tour of Australia was going to being cancelled, Sutherland said, adding the BCCI and Cricket Australia were still discussing issues arising from the Sydney Test.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting, left steaming after he fell victim to an incorrect call during the second Test, came to the defence of the umpiring fraternity, saying the “human element” was one of cricket’s great charms.

Ponting said he opposed calls for the use of more technology to help umpires, which were made again after the second Test, but added that players should not be honour-bound to aid umpires by walking.

“From what I can gather you’re out there, you’re batting, and if an umpire gives you not out you stay, if an umpire gives you out you go,” Ponting said on television on Monday.—AFP