Umpiring legend David Shepherd dies

Posted on Oct 28, 2009 at 17:38 | Updated Oct 28, 2009 at 18:39 Comment 2 CommentsEmail Print


London: Popular umpire David Shepherd, renowned for his sound judgement and idiosyncracy, died of cancer on Tuesday night at the age of 68.

Shepherd is survived by his wife Jenny, whom he married last year.

One of the most affable umpires of his era, 'Shep' had officiated with distinction in 92 Test matches and 172 one-day internationals, including three World Cup finals.

"I feel very saddened this has happened," a grief-stricken Dicky Bird told of his umpiring colleague.

"He was a fine umpire, we spent many happy hours together. He was a great man and a tremendous man to umpire with. He was a good bloke, he'll be sadly missed and he was a great friend," Bird told Sky Sports.

Shepherd played county cricket for Gloucestershire, making his first-class debut in 1965.

After dropping curtains on his playing career in 1979, Shepherd made his international umpiring debut in the 1983 World Cup and stood in three successive World Cup finals in 1996, 1999 and 2003.

Renowned for his good humour, Shepherd was hugged by the West Indian players after a Jamaica Test and the then home side captain Brian Lara presented him with a bat with the message "Thank you for the service, the memories and the

professionalism."

He would be remember more for his habit of hopping on one leg whenever a team reached 111 or "Nelson" score.

Post a comment

Log in with CricketNext ID.

Log in with Facebook ID .

Ads by Google

  • India vs South Africa, 1st Test
  • India gear up for Proteas
  • India's greatest spinners
  • Indian players arrive in Nagpur
  • Board President's XI vs South Africans
  • South Africa begin training for tough India series
  • India vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test
  • India practise ahead of second Test, Dhaka
  • Prince Wlliams, Brett Lee play cricket
  • Modi and his IPL angels
  • Eleven buys of IPL III auction
  • Top draws at the IPL auction
  • India vs Bangladesh, first Test, Chittagong
  • India change into Test mode
  • Ranji Trophy: Mumbai's winning moments
  • Star cricketers light up tennis event
  • Dhaka tri-series final, India vs Sri Lanka
  • India, Lanka sweat it out
  • India vs Bangladesh, triseries
  • Sri Lanka vs India, tri-series