David Shepherd (umpire)

David Robert Shepherd MBE (19 October 1940 – 27 December 2009) was an English international cricket umpire, widely regarded as one of the finest and most popular umpires of all time.

Born in Bideford, Devon, Shepherd played cricket for Gloucestershire as a middle-order batsman, scoring 2,872 runs in 92 first-class matches between 1963 and 1979. However, he achieved greater recognition and success as an umpire.

Shepherd umpired in 92 Test matches between 1983 and 2005, a record at the time of his retirement. He also stood in 172 One Day International (ODI) matches, including three World Cup finals (1987, 1996 and 2003).

Known for his distinctive and jovial personality, Shepherd brought a sense of fun and humanity to the often-tense atmosphere of international cricket. He was famous for his superstition of hopping on one leg whenever the score reached 111, or multiples thereof (Nelson).

Shepherd retired from international umpiring in 2005, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd at Lord's in his final Test match. He was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1987 for his services to cricket. He remained a popular figure in the cricketing world until his death in 2009. His contribution to the sport was recognized by his induction into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2019.