DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC):

Cricket's world governing body, the International Cricket Council, has led an outpouring of praise for legendary international umpire Steve Bucknor, who retired from the sport on Sunday.

The 62-year-old Jamaican, who stood in a record 128 Tests, ended his 20-year career with the final Test between South Africa and Australia at Newlands in Cape Town.

"His endurance is testament to discipline and consistency - two characteristics to which all in cricket should aspire," said Haroon Lorgat, the ICC's chief executive.

"On behalf of the ICC, thank you for your great service to the game and we wish you well in the future."

One of the game's most respected umpires, Bucknor has also stood in 179 one-day internationals and will add to that tally when he officiates the two matches between West Indies and England at Kensington Oval in Barbados this weekend.

Double-header

The double-header at Kensington Oval will be his final international matches.

The experienced Bucknor has also stood in a record five consecutive World Cup finals since 1992, a standard that Lorgat contended would never be overhauled.

"Steve's is a career that has embraced so much and deserves to be celebrated," the top official said.

"His record of five consecutive ICC Cricket World Cup finals will not, I contend, be overtaken and he will retire as the umpire to have officiated in the most Test matches and the first to break the 100-Test mark."

ICC's general manager for cricket, David Richardson, also praised Bucknor, noting his presence on the umpires Elite Panel would definitely be missed.

"I have known Steve Bucknor since my playing days with South Africa. He has been a highly respected umpire and outstanding servant to the game of cricket," said Richardson, who played 42 Tests for South Africa as a wicketkeeper/batsman between 1991 and 1998.

"Steve's talents will be sorely missed on the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and he will be leaving a void in the game when he departs. I wish him well in his retirement from the game and every success in the future."

Guard of honour

Prior to the start of the second day's play of the Newlands Test on Friday, the ICC presented Bucknor with a painting featuring images of his umpiring career.

When play resumed after tea on the fourth day of the Test on Sunday, the players and officials formed a guard of honour for Bucknor as a tribute to his outstanding contribution to the game.

Bucknor signed off from his Test career by kneeling to pray in the middle at the end of the match on Sunday before taking a lap of the field to say goodbye.

Bucknor launched his international career in 1989 with an ODI between West Indies and India at the Antigua Recreation Ground on March 18, before standing in his first Test one month later in Jamaica in a contest between the same opponents.