Cricket world mourns loss of Shepherd

Published on Wednesday 28 October 2009 21:04

GLOUCESTERSHIRE chairman John Light has called for an appropriate tribute to recognise the “worldwide standing” of former Test umpire David Shepherd, who died after a long battle with cancer yesterday. Shepherd, who was a batsman for the county for 14 years but came to prominence as a leading umpire, passed away aged 68 in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

He stood in 92 Tests around the world and umpired three successive World Cup finals and was perhaps most famous for his one-legged jigs when the score reached 111, 222 or 333, known as a Nelson. He retired in 2005 but was struck by cancer soon after.

Gloucestershire chairman Light said:

“We are redeveloping our ground at Bristol and it may be that we consider naming part of it after him. But certainly there will be an appropriate tribute because of the respect we have for him. I think the world of cricket will pay an appropriate tribute. I’m sure his contribution to the world game was such that we’ll get a world tribute, I think that would be appropriate.”

The International Cricket Council was similarly quick to pay tribute. President David Morgan said: “David was a true gentleman of the game. He was a fine player and a match official of the very highest quality.

“He will be remembered fondly as a great entertainer but also as one of the best umpires the game has ever seen.”

A tearful Dickie Bird said: “He was a fine umpire. We umpired together all over the world. I’ve lost a friend. A great friend.”