The Australian veteran umpire, Bruce Oxenford announces his retirement from international cricket
The veteran umpire, Bruce Oxenford has announced his retirement after a magnificent International career of 15 years in which he appeared in 179 International matches.
The 60-year-old Australian umpire who last stood in the famous Test match between India and Australia in Brisbane will stand down from his position in April.
An expert of 60 Test matches, Oxenford made his debut in Brisbane in a T20 match between Australia and South Africa in 2006. He has been a part of three 50-over World Cups, three T20I World Cups and he also featured in two Women’s 50-over World Cups in 2012 and 2014.
“I look back with pride at my international career as an umpire. It is still hard to believe that I officiated in close to 200 international matches. Such a long career was not really something that I had hoped for before commencing on this journey,”
said Bruce Oxenford.
“I would like to thank the International Cricket Council, Cricket Australia and all my colleagues in the ICC Elite and International panels for their support and encouragement over the years. I had a wonderful time as a match official and will miss the camaraderie that comes with being a part of such a professional group. I shall particularly miss seeing and interacting with the magnificent people who are part of the support structure of our game around the world.
“Most importantly, I want to thank my wife Jo, son James and daughter Kristen for all their love and support over the years. It would not have been possible for me to have such a long career without their sacrifices and for this, I am eternally grateful,”
he included.
Bruce Oxenford was born in Queensland on March 5, 1960, played eight first-class matches where he picked up 18 wickets. His Test umpiring debut came in Pallekele in a contest between Sri Lanka and West Indies in 2010. Moreover, he made his ODI umpiring debut in Canberra in 2008 when India took on Sri Lanka. He will continue to officiate in domestic cricket.
Adrian Griffith, ICC’s Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees, expressed his gratitude towards Oxenford.
“Bruce is an excellent umpire, and it has been a pleasure working with him over the years. He is a great team man and well respected by all his colleagues,”
he said.
“I congratulate Bruce on behalf of everyone at the ICC for a fine international career and wish him all the success in his future pursuits. It is pleasing to hear he will continue to umpire domestically and share his tremendous experience with the next generation of Elite umpires.”