Steve Bucknor and Aleem Dar have been appointed to stand as the on-field umpires for the World Cup final between Australia and Sri Lanka in Barbados. Rudi Koertzen will be the third umpire, while Jeff Crowe will act as the match referee.
For Bucknor, it will be his fifth successive final. He first stood in 1992, and on the three subsequent occasions he was accompanied by David Shepherd, who has now retired. "It's a dream come true," Bucknor said. "I was happy knowing I was umpiring in a World Cup in the Caribbean and now being asked to stand in the final again makes it even more special.
"Just because the final is taking place here does not mean it is any extra pressure for me than, say, my third or fourth finals, for example. Each game has its pressures and you have to deal with that. As for preparations, it will be business as usual. I will go for a jog around the savannah to get myself ready, as I always do when I am here in Barbados."
Dar echoed his colleague's sentiments. "It is a dream come true for me too," he admitted. "Everyone can have their dreams and I am just very glad that I have been selected for this match which should be a very good one between the two top teams. I have always worked well together with Steve, he is a great umpire and we have a good understanding, and so that should be a great help to me on Saturday. There is no doubt that it is a big match - the biggest - but I will look to treat it as I would any other match and just look to do my job the best I can."
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