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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 »I’ve lost my rifle
By Will 2 years ago, at the end of September, No Comments; be the first!
Not content with losing laptops and memory sticks, the contents of which are now doubtless in the hands of ruffians, the MoD have now lost a rifle on Dartmoor. It’s one of their useless SA80s, which have been criticised by soldiers since the 1991 Gulf war, so perhaps it was intentional.
“They went missing after a training exercise last weekend on the south side of Dartmoor,” he said.
The SA80 rifle is one of the British military’s standard combat weapons.
It takes a 30-round magazine and is capable of firing 700 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition per minute.
I just happened to be on the southern end of Dartmoor yesterday afternoon (here, if you’re interested), but found nothing other than a sheep carcas and a mustachioed German woman of at least six feet in height. Dartmoor utterly rocks. In fact, it rocks utterly.
Incidentally, I’ve not a clue what’s been happening in the world of cricket, and I’m wallowing in my self-instigated ignorance. If you’d like to let me know what’s been happening, or if you’ve found the SA80 and plan on using it, leave a comment below. I’m off to the beach.
No Comments »Red Arrows in the South Hams
By Will 2 years ago, mid-February, 3 Comments »
Nothing to do with cricket I’m afraid, but too good not to share. I just stumbled across this photo of the Red Arrows flying over the countryside in Dartmouth, near where my mum lives. Her friend’s son flies for them and, after the regatta over Dartmouth, they sped down to our local beach a few miles away for their own personal fly-by. Great to see a photo of it finally – must have been fairly awesome!
Lots more on Flickr.
3 Comments »England unchanged
By Will 3 years ago, at the start of June, 4 Comments »
So England announce an unchanged lineup. No change there. I’ve not a lot else to add since I’ve been incarcerated in Devon enjoying things other than cricket, like the beach, and have read precisely nothing. So I just thought I’d pop my head in and say hello.
Hello. The blog will (should) be redesigned in a week or so thanks to Arun, a genius in India who’s kindly taken on the mantle. Anyway, well done everyone.
New Zealand v South Africa, Super Eights, Grenada
By Will 3 years ago, mid-April, 2 Comments »
Something’s wrong in the universe when Craig McMillan can take three South African wickets. I’m not watching it, and have only just switched on the radio – ensconced in Devon and magnetised to the beach and the outdoors. But it’s clouded over with a sea fog here and it’s high time for a drink and to keep my eye on this match. South Africa are wobbling, to say the least. Incidentally my hosters were switching things today and apparently the site was buggered earlier. Apologies for that. All seems fine again now – if painfully slow.
Anyhoo, here’s a photo
And here’s the scorecard.
2 Comments »Banger’s back (albeit against Devon)
By Will 3 years ago, mid-April, 3 Comments »
In spite of Nasser Hussain’s bold insistence that Australia were “under the cosh for a lot of” today’s match against England, the end result was rather predictable. England did apply themselves well for portions of the match – specifically the partnership between Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen – but that one highlight alone is not enough to beat Australia, to win the World Cup or to prove England’s one-day ethic is nothing more than hit-and-hope. In fact, poke-and-pray might be more accurate.
All is not lost. You’ve no doubt heard by now that Marcus Trescothick made his return to cricket – albeit against a Devon attack more used to serving scones than yorkers – with a brutal 256 from 117 balls. This is a good thing.
The mystery surrounding his stress-related illness is still very much just that. No one knows for sure exactly what constitutes stress, nor why it happened, nor why he was apparently unfit to attend England’s Champions Trophy yet was fit to tour Australia a few weeks later. He lasted just two weeks which, given the horror show that eventuated, was probably just as well.
I desperately hope he returns, fighting fit, scoring banger tons again. Who knows? This lay-off he has had could relaunch his career, turning him from a good England player into a great.
3 Comments »The Corridor in Devon
By Will 4 years ago, at the start of August, 1 Comment »
Don’t worry, I’m not going to speak in the third person. It would be sacrilegious for The Corridor to even flirt with such an idea. However, “The Corridor in Devon” was too good a headline to ignore. I have no idea what’s been happening in the world (of cricket or otherwise), as I’ve been having too much fun stuffing my face with Devon’s finest steak, cream, scones and other such heart-attack foodstuffs [1]. Rock on.
[1] Not all together on one plate, you understand…
1 Comment »Gone away for a bit
By Will 4 years ago, at the start of August, 1 Comment »
I need sea air. Back on Friday for the Test. I’ll stick some musings up if I have time and/or the heavens open (likely).
1 Comment »It’s summer
By Will 4 years ago, mid-June, 4 Comments »
The reason for the lack of posting is because…
It’s perishingly cold in the sea still, probably won’t warm up until August – but I might just dive in tomorrow. Impossibly brilliant beaches around here.
So – not a lot of time. News and developments on Sat or Sun…or more likely on Monday/Tuesday. Catch you then.
4 Comments »Cricket on Bantham beach
By Will 4 years ago, mid-May, 2 Comments »
They think it’s all over …
Originally uploaded by Flickr user reallyreallyrosie.
I know this area pretty well now – South Devon – but can’t think where Bantham is. Might be just over the water from Salcombe…nice shot, though.
2 Comments »“Great shot – MIND THE SHEEP!”
By Will 4 years ago, at the end of February, 10 Comments »
I’m away back in Devon, hence mass-blogging and general frolicking around the coast and pubs and what have you. In the pub yesterday, or the day before, we met the village’s cricket captain – or someone of the team, anyway. He was quite excited to have met “someone from Wisden,” clearly not really au fait with Cricinfo (which I find quite a lot; people related to the “Wisden brand” more than Cricinfo, certainly in the UK. This isn’t the case in India, incidentally, hence the launch of Cricinfo Magazine in January).
Anyway, long story short, apparently they play in a field which is occupied by sheep in the winter months. Indeed, walking past it on the way to the beach yesterday, the sheep were merrily munching away at the green stuff, which made me wonder whether they’d act as fielders once the season gets underway. With all the wool on them, they’d be pretty reasonably insulated were they to be struck by a savage drive or pull. And the slope, well…it makes Lord’s incline look rather pathetic; you’d only have to nudge it through the covers (or tickle it down to fine leg) for a four…
It got me thinking about “odd places” people play cricket. Heard of any funny places people play? What’s your club like?
10 Comments »Back in the land of the blogging
By Will 5 years ago, at the end of December, 2 Comments »
Hello all, I’m back in the land of the blogging. Well, I would be if I didn’t have ‘flu (yes, Martin, it’s now definately ‘flu!). BT have kindly given us broadband in Devon – we’re one of the few in the village to have been granted it, which is as odd as it is depressing; bloody London/Berkshire types craving their instant always-on internet connections. In other words, us!
Anyway. I’ve a turkey to buy, Christmas shopping to start (literally) but will blog like a bafoon a bit later; thoughts on Pakistan, thoughts on England and my usual repetoire of rambling opinions about the game.
2 Comments »Shep’s leaving at 8.55
By Will 5 years ago, mid-May, No Comments; be the first!
Great shame – David Shepherd, portly Devon umpire, is hanging up his white coat and flat cap.
No Comments »Shepherd’s last Test will be the second match between West Indies and Pakistan in Jamaica next month.
And his final international match will be a one-dayers between England and Australia at The Oval on 12 July.
“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 »