Umpire Aleem Dar stands in record-equalling 128th Test as Ashes rivalry is renewed

England and Australia's clash at Lord's sees the 51-year-old draw level with Steve Bucknor for officiating the most international five-day games

Aleem Dar has become the joint-most experienced umpire in Test history after taking to the field for the 128th time for England's clash with Australia at Lord's.

The 51-year-old is now level with Steve Bucknor for appearances as an on-field umpire in the international five-day format.

South Africa's Rudi Koertzen is the only other man to have reached three figures, having umpired 108 Tests before retiring in 2010.

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Dar made his Test debut as an umpire for Bangladesh v England in Dhaka in October 2003 and has gone on to become one of cricket's most established figures in the middle.

He has taken charge of 376 international matches across all formats, the most of any umpire in the sport's history.

"It's a great honour to equal the number of Test matches of my role model, umpire Steve Bucknor," he said.

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