The battle off the field between Australia and India has now overflowed into another battle; this time it’s between the West Indies and the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The West Indies is the home of embattled umpire Steve Bucknor and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) are angered by the ICC’s decision to bow to pressure from the Indian Cricket Board of Control (BCCI). The reason for their anger is not the loss of their main umpire but a lack of consistency from the ICC.

On a day when Malcolm Speed stated “We cannot have one set of rules for India,” the WICB is accusing the ICC of bias. In 2005 the West Indies lodged a similar complaint during their tour to Australia, only to be told that mistakes were made but that the standard of officiating had improved recently.

'The WICB is outraged at the aftermath of the Sydney Test match and is demanding answers from the ICC'


The WICB is outraged at the aftermath of the Sydney Test and is demanding answers from the ICC as to how the scenario in Sydney in 2008 is different to what the West Indies faced in 2005, especially considering match referee Mike Procter was in charge of both games. The WICB is trying to decide what action to take against the ICC.

As far as the West Indies is concerned the ICC’s decision has damaged cricket. President Julian Hunte commented: "There is no question that even the best umpires make mistakes, they are human and there are circumstances which may affect their judgement. What worries us is whether the action of the ICC in the case of Bucknor might create even more problems for the ICC and international cricket down the line."

West Indian match referee Clive Lloyd was also outspoken after Bucknor’s dismissal, saying: "You wonder what confidence this gives umpires… The umpires I have had, particularly at ICC level, have been excellent.”

It is clear that this storm is going to continue for quite some time yet, what else is clear is that the West Indies are standing by their man - umpire Bucknor.