No ill-feelings towards India: Steve Bucknor

MUMBAI - Bucknor, the former International Cricket Council (ICC) umpire, didn't go to witness team India's victory against West Indies in the first Test match at Sabina Park, Kingston in Jamaica, but says, he has no ill feelings for the Indian players. "No, absolutely I have no ill feelings for your team," he said from Jamaica on Friday morning (IST). "I have no ill-feelings towards anybody". "I stay far off (some 120 miles away) from the Stadium and could not make it," he added. On India's tour of Australia in 2008, angry Indian cricket board officials demanded action be taken against umpire Steve Bucknor after a series of poor decisions in the second Test at the SCG. The Jamaican umpire came under fire for a series of controversial decisions as India lost by 122 runs to go 2-0 down in the series. The ICC had no option left but to bow down to the request and replaces him for the third Test. "I didn't apologise to the members of Indian team," he further added. "I am keen to come to India for the IPL matches and if I get chance, it would get opportunity to meet Indian players," he hoped. Bucknor (64-year-old) after retiring from the international cricket, still officiates as an umpire in Jamaica's domestic matches. "I also do coaching in foot ball," he added. Bucknor was a high school mathematics teacher and sports coach, before becoming an international football referee and a cricket umpire.

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