David Shepherd      

Full name David Robert Shepherd

Born December 27, 1940, Bideford, Devon

Died October 27, 2009 (aged 68 years 304 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

David Shepherd, who died in October 2009, aged 68, was a renowned international umpire who officiated in 172 ODIs, including three consecutive World Cup finals, and 92 Tests between 1983 and 2005. His roly-poly figure, good-humoured approach to officiating and quirky superstitions - most notably his 'jig' when scores reached 111 or a multiple thereof - made him a favourite with players and spectators the world over.

As a player, he was immensely popular, his figure again hiding 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.

Shepherd was appointed a first-class umpire in 1981, and made his international debut at the 1983 World Cup. He would go onto become one of the game's most decorated and beloved officials. At the time of his death, only Steve Bucknor and Rudi Koertzen had stood in more Tests.

His last Test match was between West Indies and Pakistan in Kingston in June 2005 - after which Brian Lara presented him with a bat inscribed with a message thanking him for "the service, the memories and the professionalism" - and his final county appearance came at his former home ground of Bristol. Shepherd had represented Gloucestershire as a batsman over a 14-year career, which included 282 first-class matches and 12 centuries.

Upon his retirement from umpiring, Shepherd returned to Devon and remained involved with his local club, Bideford. He married Jenny, his long-time partner, in 2008.

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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