Bucknor to umpire fifth WC final

Steve Bucknor and Aleem Dar have been appointed the two on-field umpires for the World Cup final on Saturday in Barbados between Australia and Sri Lanka.

Bucknor will be standing in his fifth World Cup final in succession giving him the record for any umpire. Dickie Bird and David Shepherd are equal second having stood in three World Cup finals each.

Bucknor said “It is a dream come true. I was happy umpiring in a World Cup in the Caribbean and being asked to stand in the final makes it even more special. As for preparations, it will be business as usual.”

Dar said on his appointment “I will look to treat it as I would any other match and just look to do my job the best I can.

“I have always worked well together with Steve – he is a great umpire and we have a good understanding, so that should be a great help to me on Saturday,” Dar added.

Billy Bowden and Rudi Koertzen have been appointed as the off-field umpires with Jeff Crowe taking the match referee role.