Bucknor Back

Umpire Steve Bucknor, who was removed after his controversial decisions cost India the Sydney Test against Australia, will return to international cricket during Bangladesh's home series against South Africa from Feb 22.

After his glaring mistakes in the ill-tempered Sydney Test raised a storm in India and forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to pitch in aggressively for his removal, the International Cricket Council (ICC) calmed the nerves by dumping him from the series.

Bucknor, a veteran of five World Cups, will officiate in the two Tests between South Africa and Bangladesh in Dhaka and Chittagong. Pakistan's Aleem Dar will be the other umpire.

"The first Test gets underway in Dhaka Feb 22 and after that the action will shift to Chittagong for the second Test, which starts Feb 29. Both Tests will be umpired by Aleem Dar and Steve Bucknor," the ICC said in statement issued here Saturday.

After the Test series, the host team will play South Africa in three One-Day International (ODI) matches - Chittagong (Mar 9), Dhaka (Mar 12 and 14).

"All three ODIs will be umpired by Dar and a local appointment," the statement added.

Bangladesh will then welcome Ireland for another three-match ODI series. All the matches are scheduled in Dhaka (Mar 18, 20, 22) with Sri Lankan Tyron Wijewardena standing with a local umpire.

Sri Lankan Ranjan Madugalle has been appointed as the match referee for both the series