Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia Grange, has described Steve Bucknor as the most outstanding umpire in the history of the sport of cricket.

In paying tribute to the St James native, who stood in his 128th and last Test match in the series between South Africa and Australia, which was completed last weekend, Minister Grange described Bucknor as a remarkable man, whose humility was never at any stage of his life lessened by his greatness.

"He was a humble but effective high school master and sports coach and then a humble but great cricket umpire," she said.

record achievements

The Sports Minister said the West Indies and his home country, Jamaica, have every reason to shower praises and tributes on Bucknor who has the record of standing in five consecutive Cricket World Cup finals, the record of standing in more Test matches than any other umpire and is second in the number of one-day internationals.

She said that although Bucknor has already been awarded the Order of Jamaica, she will be discussing with Prime Minister Bruce Golding further fitting national recognition for "this great Jamaican son of West Indies Cricket".

FLASHBACK TO 1972: Steve Bucknor (right), captain of the St James football team, receiving the Meeks Cup - symbol of all-island supremacy in football - from Tino Barovier first vice-president of the Jamaica Football Federation. St James defeated St Catherine 3-0 at the Spanish Town Prison Oval.