David Shepherd- the Umpire of Umpires

The other day when the news of demise of one of the most popular umpires David Shepherd came to me my mind was heavy with sorrow and sadness. Perhaps what made him distinctive and interstingly colourful was roly-poly figure and funny hops once the score reaching nelson, double nelson or triple nelson. But behind the facade of a lively and easy-going person he had a razor-sharp mind and performed his duties with utmost professionalism He was such a familiar figure along with Dicky Bird ,Steve Bucknor and many others in Test maches and One-dayers.

As you all know that the job of an umpire is very demanding and basically thankless. And with commercialization of every aspect of the game the physical and mental demands on a person choosing to serve as umpires is just mind-boggling. In the early years of David Shepherd's umpiring there were no application and use of the modern gadgets, The umpires had to go by their knowledge, integrity and instincts to make decisions. And David Shepherd gave an exemplary account of himself. The cricket players all over the cricketing world used to hold him in highest esteem. When there were controversies surrounding the names of some umpires he was eminently in keeping miles away from them.

What is interesting about David Shepherd is that before he launched his now famous umpiring caree in 1983 he played first class cricket for his county Glostershire and in his long career with it he figured in 282 matches with batting average of 25 and slammed 12 centuries.As an umpire had the rare distinction of umpiring in three World Cup Finals.

Perhaps the finest tribute to him was paid by one of the contemporary and successful umpires Simon Tauffel who descibed him a very great human being and an inspiration for other umpires. The entire cricketing world would be poorer with his demise.