The International Cricket Council on Tuesday bowed to India's demand to remove controversial umpire Steve Bucknor from the ongoing Test series against Australia.
The ICC said the Jamaican will be replaced by New Zealand's Billy Bowden for the third Test starting in Perth on January 16, ICC media official Sami-ul Hasan told AFP from Dubai.
"I can confirm that Bucknor will not stand in Perth," Hasan said. "Bowden will partner Asad Rauf of Pakistan in the match."
India had demanded Bucknor's removal following umpiring errors in the second Test in Sydney which Australia won by 122 runs on Sunday to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
The ICC's chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle of Sri Lanka will also be flown to Perth to "help the two captains in re-establishing an atmosphere of goodwill and mutual respect between the two teams," Hasan added.
Madugalle will assist his colleague Mike Procter of South Africa, who has angered the Indians for banning spinner Harbhajan Singh for three matches following racial charges laid by the Australians.
The Indian cricket board is meeting later on Tuesday to decide if the tour should continue following Harbhajan's ban.
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