Umpire Bruce Oxenford on Thursday announced his retirement from international cricket and thanked ICC, Cricket Australia and his colleagues in the ICC Elite and International panels for their support.
Australia's Bruce Oxenford was a regular member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires since 2012. After a career of 15 years where he officiated in 179 international including 62 Test matches, Oxenford calls time on his career.
Oxenford, who will officially stand down in April, made his international debut at the Gabba in a T20 International between Australia and South Africa in January 2006. He has been part of three 50-over World Cups, three T20 World Cups and also featured in two Women's 50-over World Cups in 2012 and 2014.
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Reflecting on his 15 years long career, Oxenford said it's still hard for him to believe that he officiated in close to 200 international matches
"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," Bruce Oxenford in an ICC statement.
Oxenford, who's last Test was India's famous win in Brisbane against Australia, further thanked his colleagues, ICC and said that will miss the camaraderie that comes with being a part of such a professional group.
"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. 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." he said.
Oxenford while thanking his family said that he is looking forward to umpiring in domestic cricket in his country.
"Most importantly, I want to thank my wife Jo, son James and daughter Kristen for all their love and support over the years. It would not have been possible for me to have such a long career without their sacrifices and for this I am 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 concluded.
Before becoming an umpire, Oxenford represented Queensland in eight first-class matches as a leg-spin bowler and lower-order batsman.
(PTI inputs)
