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David Shepherd dies
By Will last year, at the end of October, No Comments; be the first!
We’d heard he was ill for quite some time, but it was still sad to hear that David Shepherd – Shep to friends and fans – died on Tuesday. It’s horribly cliched to say so, but he really was a character, an individual – aspects of the sport, if not society, which are dwindling remarkably quickly.
Shep attracted friends and fans for lots of reasons. He looked like a normal, approachable bloke. He grinned at curfuffles in the middle before quickly dissipating them, sometimes diplomatically, often with a stiff wag of his finger. Players would put their arms round him at the close of play, joke about a near lbw decision, but they knew he was boss. The balance between his professionalism and humanity was old-fashioned and correct, and the public loved him for that. He enjoyed his food. And no one with a thick Devonian accent can ever attract controversy or enemies.
My Dad had the massive fortune of spending a few hours with him years ago, when we were at The Oval watching West Indies. He seemed down to earth yet forthright and authoritarian; above all, he loved the game. I remember a few years ago, he flicked off the bails at the end of the second session of play and said to the stump mic: “That’s over, and time…for a devonshire clotted cream tea!”
There’s more on Shep here at his tag, most of which is dull. Cricinfo is not dull, and has a nice package, including the news piece, a tribute from Simon Taufel (who couldn’t be more different a character, frankly), an archive from David Foot that’s worth reading, and a cool gallery.
Patrick Kidd’s clearly been stealing my ideas again, and wonders why we don’t warm to umpires like we did with Shep (and lots of other former officials). Technology is the biggest culprit; the two on-field umpires no longer have the final say, and their authority is cut in half. They are human representatives, living in fear of public humiliation when the dreaded replays prove whether their decision was correct or not. But also, so much cricket is being played nowadays that matches, tournaments and series all roll in and out of one another. It’s hard enough keeping track of who’s playing, who’s injured, let alone who’s officiating.
But when you heard Shep bleat “Over – left hand” in his comfortably thick Devon accent, you knew the match was in safe hands.
No Comments »Darryl Harper on David Shepherd
By Will 5 years ago, at the end of July, 6 Comments »
Fellow umpire Daryl Harper has posted his thoughts on the recently-retired David Shepherd, including this gem:
6 Comments »In August 2000 at The Oval, Courtney Walsh walked out to bat for the final time in a Test match on English soil. He was greeted with a guard of honour from his opponents as he entered the ground in his customary batting position at number eleven. As I stood with Shep and applauded the champion, David recalled that Don Bradman had been given a similar send-off on the same ground, 52 years earlier in his final Test match. As I returned to my position at the bowler’s end, I passed the big West Indian whose eyes were flowing with tears of emotion. I quickly mentioned the Bradman link as Shep had recalled, adding that the Don had made a second ball duck! Courtney threw his head back and vowed to do better than that. The first ball from Domenic Cork passed outside off stump and Walsh flashed at it without getting close. The second delivery was pitched on off stump and Walsh pushed forward with his bat. The ball eluded the wood and cannoned into the front pad, somewhere near the knee roll. It wasn’t a tough decision for me…..Courtney Walsh had emulated Bradman in his final Test innings in England.
Goodbye, Shep
By Will 5 years ago, mid-July, 2 Comments »
Old Shep’ retires tomorrow – his final match should, hopefully, be a cracker. There are some great photos of him at Cricinfo
2 Comments »David Shepherd’s last ODI
By Will 5 years ago, at the start of July, 6 Comments »
It’s old Shep’s last ODI today and David Foot profiles the great man here
Hat tip: Scott
6 Comments »Shepherd back “to dear old England”
By Will 5 years ago, at the start of June, No Comments; be the first!
Some photos of David Shepherd’s final Test below. He’s over here (England, for those who haven’t realised where I am) for 5 ODIs, and for the rest of the County season.
All photos are copyrighted with Associated Press and their original photographers, all rights reserved.
No Comments »“A great guy and a great umpire”: Slater on Shepherd’s final day
By Will 5 years ago, at the start of June, No Comments; be the first!
Well, it’s all over for the West Indies – and David Shepherd too. Quite a sad moment as old Shep walks off the field for the final time. A guard of honour and big bear-hugs all round, and I’m sure he must be feeling quite emotional. I’ve always loved hearing and watching Shep umpire – an umpire who’s always appeared to be very honest, very consistent and who commands the respect of all the players.
In an interview the other day, he said (not quoting) “Players respect me; but umpires must respect the players, too.” T’ra Shep, have a beer or 3
No Comments »Shep no more
By Will 5 years ago, at the start of June, No Comments; be the first!
David Shepherd is leaving his flock, and Cricinfo have some good stuff on him including this brilliant gallery.
Some tributes by former players and colleagues, including this by Darren Lehmann:
No Comments »He was always interesting: he loves the game, enjoys umpiring and he is going to be sorely missed. He was a character in the game, and we are going to miss playing under him as an official. He was a very good umpire, one who you knew was going to make the right decisions. He was always in control of the game and was at the same time a stern umpire which is excellent when you are trying to control a bunch of international cricketers. I always kept him on [my] side and never played any jokes though I knew he loved his beer and we shared many evenings after the day’s play over drinks.
David Shepherd’s final Test?
By Will 5 years ago, at the start of June, No Comments; be the first!
Just read on Cricinfo’s commentary that the about-to-start Test, Pakistan v West Indies, officiated by David Shepherd, will be his last. Really sad – he’s such a good umpire. So, keep an eye out on the score, and everyone raise a leg (and a glass) if Nelson (111, 222, 333 etc) appears…
No Comments »“That’s over, and time…for a…”
By Will 5 years ago, mid-April, No Comments; be the first!
Gem of a soundbite from old Shep just now:
“That’s over, and time…for a devonshire clotted cream tea!”
He was picking up the bails, so was right next to the stump-mic – nice moment.
No Comments »David Shepherd (the umpire) falls down escalator!
By Will 5 years ago, at the end of March, 4 Comments »
I unashamedly admit to enjoying slapstick comedy, especially in everyday life!, so when I heard old ‘Shep had fallen down an escalator, I too nearly fell over laughing. What a visual image that creates! He’s all right – as everyone is, in slapstick land.
He added: “One of the young men who helped me up recognised me and said, ‘Oh, it’s you, standing on one leg again’ [a droll reference to Shepherd's habit of hopping discreetly whenever the scoreboard shows 111].”
In reading about his fall, it came to my attention that he was “given” a guard of honour in Australia and New Zealand’s 2nd Test match (see excellent pic below). I can’t get that Test on Cricinfo – anyone know what the honour was for?
A really good umpire – one of the old school, like Dickie. It’s one of my favourite sounds of the summer (although, thinking about it, if he’s an Elite Umpire he’s not allowed to umpire at home any more…correct?), listening to Shep say “Over, left hand” in his thick Devon accent. And of course his infamous one-legged-trick on Nelson (111), double nelson (222) triple nel…you get the idea.
Updated: more on this at Cricket 24×7
4 Comments »