Full name David Robert Shepherd

Born December 27, 1940, Bideford, Devon

Current age 68 years 191 days

Major teams Gloucestershire

Nickname Shep

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm medium

Other Umpire

Height 5 ft 10 in

Education Barnstaple Grammar School; St Luke's College, Exeter

One of the most respected and liked umpires in international cricket, David Shepherd was born and bred in Devon, and although he has travelled the world plying his trade, he has always been true to his West Country roots. Instantly recognisable, the genial Shepherd is one of the most popular and highly-respected umpires. He is possibly best known for his aversion to the dreaded Nelson, but that disguises the fact that he is a fair and competent official, as shown by the fact the he stood in three successive World Cup finals (1996, 1999, 2003) and six tournaments overall.

As a player, he was immensely popular, his roly-poly figure again hidinmg his worth to Gloucestershire as a pugnacious middle-order batsman who contributed to the side both on and off the field. He made his county debut late - he was 25 - after dabbling in teaching, and smashed a hundred on debut. Despite his bulk, which made him something of a liability in the field, he excelled at the one-day game where his placing of shots compensated for his lack of speed between the wickets.

"It is not only his build, though that calls the deep rooted countryman to mind," wrote Geoffrey Moorhouse. "His bottom hand is clamped massively just above the shoulder of the bat,, as some ancestor probably held a scythe, or possibly a blacksmith's maul. He stands ... head scanning the field of play the way men do by gates when they are contemplating crops.

He was appointed as a first-class umpire in 1981 and the speed of his elevation to the international stage was evidence of his ability and the regard in which he was, and still is, held. In 2005 he umpires his last Test match and then umpired his final international game - England v Australia at The Oval - before fittingly ending his career at Bristol.

Umpiring Career

• Commenced first-class umpiring 1981.
• Commenced Test match umpiring in 1985.
• Officiated in:
• 1983 World cup (England);
• 1987 World Cup (India/Pakistan);
• 1992 World Cup (Australia/New Zealand);
• 1996 World Cup (India/Pakistan/Sri Lanka) including the final;
• 1999 World Cup (England) including the final;
• 2003 World Cup (South Africa) including the final;
• Two Tests South Africa v India in 1992/93 during the ICC/National Grid pilot scheme
• Appointed to the National Grid Panel 1994.

Height: 5ft 10ins
Profession: helps in family Post Office/newsagents business
Interests: all sports, stamp collecting
Awarded MBE for services to cricket in 1997
Awarded honarary life membership of the MCC in 2006

Jul 12, 2005

Darren Gough shakes David Shepherd's hand as the umpire bows out of international cricket

© Getty Images

Jul 11, 2005

Umpire David Shepherd relaxes at The Oval, before his final match

© Getty Images

Jul 11, 2005

David Shepherd in front of The Oval

© Getty Images

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