Umpire Bruce Oxenford publicizes retirement from worldwide cricket
Image Source : GETTY IMAGES File photograph of Bruce Oxenford.
Australian umpire Bruce Oxenford on Thursday introduced his retirement from worldwide cricket after officiating in all three codecs of the sport for over 15 years.
An everyday member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires since 2012, Oxenford officiated in 62 Test matches, the final of which was the ultimate sport of the Australia-India sequence in Brisbane.
“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,” stated Oxenford in an ICC assertion.
The 60-year-old, who formally stands down in April, made his worldwide debut on the Gabba in a T20 International between Australia and South Africa in January 2006.
He officiated on the final three males’s World Cups and the final three T20 World Cups. He was additionally part of the officiating crew on the Women’s T20 World Cups in 2012 and 2014.
Before changing into an umpire, Oxenford represented Queensland in eight first-class matches as a leg-spin bowler and lower-order batsman.
The Queenslander will proceed to supervise home fixtures regardless of his retirement from worldwide sport.
“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,” he stated.
“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.”
Oxenford stated he’s trying ahead to umpiring in home cricket in his nation.
“Most importantly, I need to thank my spouse Jo, son James and daughter Kristen for all their love and assist through the years. It wouldn’t have been attainable for me to have such an extended profession with out their sacrifices and for this I’m eternally grateful.
“Whilst I will no longer stand in International matches, I look forward to continuing to serve the game that I love – officiating within Australia,” he added.
