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Veteran umpire David Shepherd dies

Agencies

Posted: Oct 28, 2009 at 1746 hrs IST
      

London: Popular umpire David Shepherd, renowned for his sound judgement and idiosyncracy, died of cancer last 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 remembered more for his habit of hopping on one leg whenever a team reached 111 or "Nelson" score.

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Loveable Umpire
by Dr. MK Sridhar on 2009-10-29 10:03:26.456051+05:30
It was painful to learn that David Shepherd, the popular cricket umpire passed away. Old memories rush back - Who can ever forget that loveable rotund person officiating in test or ODI? How can we forget his jump when the score board read Nelson? How can we erase his smiling face and his witty banter with the players on the field? That he had retired from officiating was a blow, but bearable; now that he is no more, it is really unbearable. May his soul rest in peace. Love.
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