Oxenford completes half-century of Tests

• Bruce Oxenford: "I've had a wonderful time officiating in international cricket and hope to continue in the same way in years to come
• You can watch Oxenford's interview here as part of the ICC Know Your Match Officials series

The 58-year-old from Australia, who played eight first-class matches before embarking on his career as a match official, is the 18th umpire to reach the half-century mark in Tests and the sixth from Australia to do so.

Bruce Oxenford: “I am still pinching myself. It is hard to believe a plodding Gold Coast cricketer could become a Test Umpire, let alone get to stand in 50 Tests.”

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the International Cricket Council, Cricket Australia and all the umpires that I have officiated with. Most of all I’d like to thank my wonderful wife Jo, son James and daughter Kristen for all their support and sacrifice during my career. If I did not have this foundation behind me, none of this would have been possible.

“I’ve had a wonderful time officiating in international cricket and hope to continue in the same way in the years to come. It's still such an honour to contribute to the greatest game in the world and I feel a real rush every time I step out into the middle.

"All the great people that I have met and interacted with along the way are what has made the journey so special. It's easily the best job I've ever had!"

Adrian Griffith, ICC’s Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees: “Bruce is a very good umpire who is respected by players and officials alike and deserves all the accolades he will receive.

“I congratulate Bruce on behalf of everyone at the ICC for reaching the 50-Test mark, which is a reflection of his hard work and dedication. We wish him all the success in the years to come and hope he has a long and fruitful career.”

Oxenford’s international umpiring career at a glance:

• His first international match was the T20I between Australia and South Africa in Brisbane in 2006

• Umpired his first Test between Sri Lanka and the West Indies in Pallekele in 2010

• Became a first-class umpire in November 2001

• Was inducted into the ICC's Emirates International Panel of Umpires in 2007-08

• Appointed to the ICC Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires in 2012

• The sixth Australian to umpire 50 Tests (after Daryl Harper, Darrell Hair, Simon Taufel, Rod Tucker and Steve Davis)

Other umpires who have officiated in 50 or more Test matches:

Steve Bucknor – 128 Tests (1989-2000)
Aleem Dar – 121 Tests (2003-2018)
Rudi Koertzen – 108 Tests (1992-2010)
Daryl Harper – 95 Tests (1998-2011)
David Shepherd – 92 Tests (1985-2005)
Billy Bowden – 84 Tests (2000-2015)
Darrell Hair – 78 Tests (1992-2008)
Simon Taufel – 74 Tests (2000-2012)
S. Venkatraghavan – 73 Tests (1993-2004)
Ian Gould – 67 Tests (2008-2018)
Dickie Bird – 66 Tests (1973-1996)
Rod Tucker – 63 Tests (2010-2018)
Steve Davis – 57 Tests (1997-2015)
Kumar Dharmasena – 54 Tests (2010-2018)
Richard Kettleborough – 53 Tests (2010-2018)
Nigel Llong – 53 Tests (2008-2018)
Marais Erasmus – 51 Tests (2008-2018)