Birthday special: David Shepherd – One of the most adorable cricket umpires

David Shepherd is, quite unarguably, the most loved and respected umpire to have graced international cricket. A renowned international umpire, Shepherd, who was born on 27th December in the year 1940, officiated in as many as 172 ODIs, including three consecutive World Cup finals, and 92 Tests from 1983 to 2005.

His easy-going attitude and amicable approach while umpiring made him a favourite among players and spectators all over the world. Despite being around for over two decades, that he managed to maintain a pleasant relationship with a majority of the cricketers only speaks of his ability to rouse admiration. Seldom did he commit an error, and on very few occasions that he did, the players were quick to forgive.

Umpiring career

Shepherd was appointed a first-class umpire in 1981 and made his international debut at the 1983 World Cup. He would go on to become one of the game’s most decorated and beloved officials. He umpired in six World Cups, including three finals: a feat second to none. At the time of his demise, only Steve Bucknor and Rudi Koertzen had stood in more Tests. The last Shepherd officiated in a Test match was in June 2005, which was a Test between West Indies and Pakistan in Kingston, whereas his final county appearance came at his former home ground of Bristol.

Birth of David Shepherd #OnThisDay in 1940, David Shepherd was born. One of the most famous cricket umpire.

Only Umpire to have officiated in Six World Cups (1983-2003)
92 Tests & 172 ODIs as Umpire

282 First Class Matches for @Gloscricket (10672 Runs, 12 Hundreds). pic.twitter.com/RVPY5AJsPg

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) December 27, 2020

A special and trademark trait of Shepherd that will forever be engraved in the minds of cricket fans is his hopping at the sight of ‘Nelson’ on the scoreboard. Whenever a team’s score arrived at 111, or on a multiple thereof, Shepherd would hop on one leg every few seconds until a run had been added. Having been brought up in Instow, England, it was a superstition that stayed with him ever since his club-cricket days.

Apart from umpiring, Shepherd had represented Gloucestershire as a batsman over a 14-year career, which included a massive 282 first-class matches and 12 centuries. Although he never played a Test, he was a prominent personality on the county circuit. Representing his team for almost a decade and a half, he notched up 12 centuries in his tally before finishing with over 10000 first-class runs to his name.

Upon his retirement from umpiring, Shepherd returned to Devon and was involved with his local club, North Devon CC. At the age of 68, four years after he retired from umpiring in international cricket, he passed away after a long battle with cancer.