Umpire Rod Tucker reaches half-century of Test matches

Dubai [UAE], Jan. 2 (ANI): Rod Tucker of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires is officiating in his 50th Test as an on-field umpire during the second Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Cape Town. Tucker, who became the 13th umpire to reach a half-century of Tests, was presented with a commemorative medal by Cricket South Africa (CSA) president Chris Nenzani on behalf of the ICC while CSA Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat presented him with a special frame. Tucker, a left-handed batsman who aggregated 5076 runs in 103 first-class matches in Australia between 1986 and 1999 and bagged 123 wickets with his medium-pace bowling, started officiating in international matches in 2009. "Cricket has been a life-long passion since my days as a player, so to be standing in my 50th Test match as an umpire is a great achievement in my career. I would like to thank the Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association New South Wales and Cricket Australia for helping me on the pathway to the ICC Elite Panel, Tucker said. "Umpiring at this level can be challenging and I would like to thank my work colleagues and family for their support and encouragement. I sincerely thank the ICC and the Member Boards for this opportunity and their continued support over the last seven years." (ANI)