West Indies umpire Steve Bucknor will set a new record when he stands in his 67th Test match at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Bucknor currently shares the record with England's Dickie Bird, who retired in 1996.

He should have broken it last month only for the second Test between Pakistan and New Zealand to be cancelled following a bomb explosion in Karachi.

But he will finally establish the new mark when he stands alongside South Africa's Dave Orchard as England meet Sri Lanka.

"Steve is an outstanding umpire who has the respect of international cricketers throughout the world," said David Richardson, the International Cricket Council's General Manager-Cricket.

"He is an excellent decision maker who controls a match with an authority that allows him to work well with players.

"Off the field, his disciplined lifestyle and commitment to personal fitness have been important in enabling him to reach this milestone. They are also characteristics that set an example for other aspiring umpires to follow."

Bucknor stood in his first Test during the 1988-89 series between West Indies and India, and has also been involved in 86 one-day internationals including the 1992, 1996 and 1999 World Cup finals.

He also refereed a World Cup football match between El Salvador and Holland, a unique feat among sports officials.