Koertzen and Rauf to officiate in India-Australia series

Dubai, Oct 1 (IANS) The International Cricket Council (ICC) has kept controversial umpires Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson out of the upcoming Test series between acrimonious rivals India and Australia.

South African Rudi Koertzen and Pakistan's Asad Rauf will officiate in the first two Tests in Bangalore and Mohali while Billy Bowden and Aleem Dar will stand in the last two Tests in New Delhi and Nagpur. Former England batsman Chris Broad will be the match referee for the series.

Bucknor and Benson were umpires in the ill-tempered Sydney Test where a number of controversial decisions, especially from Bucknor, found India at the receiving end of the heated battle.

India were so much enraged that it had almost decided to pull out of the series. India agreed to continue the tour only after ICC removed Bucknor from the subsequent Perth Test.

Though Bucknor is one of the most experienced umpires in the Elite Panel and has officiated in five World Cup finals, his relations with the Indian team have soured over the years because of his erroneous judgements.

ICC also declared the umpires for the series between Bangladesh and New Zealand. Bangladesh will host New Zealand in a three-ODI and two-Test series. Javagal Srinath has been appointed match referee while Daryl Harper will be officiating in the one-dayers along with local Bangladesh Cricket Board umpires.

Harper and Asoka de Silva will be the on-field umpires for the Tests in Chittagong and Mirpur.