DUBAI, Feb 23: Steve Bucknor, the most experienced umpire in Test cricket, plans to retire from the international game next month.

The 62-year-old Jamaican will stand in the third Test between South Africa and Australia starting March 19 in Cape Town and his last appointment will be a limited-overs international between the West Indies and England at Barbados on March 29.

Bucknor, who has stood in 126 Test matches since 1989, announced his retirement in the Jamaican media on Sunday.

“Steve’s contribution to our great sport over two decades at the top level of umpiring has been immense,” International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said on Monday.

“To have remained as one of the game’s top officials for that length of time has required Steve to be self-motivated, confident and well respected, and he has all those qualities in abundance, while at the same time remaining a very humble man.”

Bucknor has stood in 179 One-day Internationals — the third highest by an umpire — and has officiated in the five World Cup finals since 1992.

Bucknor was a high school teacher and a qualified football referee before becoming part of the ICC’s Elite Panel umpire in 1993.

The quiet but assured Bucknor had an unblemished umpiring career until confusion over the World Cup tournament regulations led to the 2007 final finishing in the dark.

He was also removed from the Test series between Australia and India in January last year, at India’s request, after some contentious decisions in the pivotal second Test at Sydney. Australia won that Test to equal their record 16 straight victories and clinch the series.—AP