Bye bye Shep

So umpire David Shepherd, he of the nelson jig and the infectious chuckle, has finally decided it is time to hang up the finger of fate. He has been an institution in the game and one of the finest men in white to ever stand.

He has currently stood in 88 Tests and 165 ODIs and has decided that after 4 more Tests it is time for retirement. The day that he finally walks off St Johns Recreation ground in Antigua, he can be extremely proud of his achievements and secure in the knowledge that he has brought an important dimension to this great game. Cricket lovers all over the world have been touched by the contribution Shep has made.

Four years after he made his first-class umpiring debut, Shep started umpiring Tests in 1985 and from that moment on he has not looked back. He has had the honour of standing in the last three World Cup finals in 1996, 1999 and 2003 and has handled himself with distinction on each occasion.

He has been an outstanding umpire but always maintained the correct balance on the park and has the respect of all players. There have been times when he has been tested but has come out of a couple of tricky situations with flying colours. Two come to mind. Shep was in the hot seat when McGrath and Sarwan had their infamous spat a couple of years ago in the Caribbean. Shep’s handling of that fiery incident was superb and I will go as far as to say that had a lesser man been in charge it could well have erupted totally out of control.

Shep again had the best and most responsible seat in the house when Pakistan’s Waqar Younis ‘lost it’ during the 2003 World Cup clash at the Wanderers against Australia. The ‘toys were thrown out of the cot’ when Waqar beamed Andrew Symonds, not once but twice. In stepped Shep and banished him immediately to fine leg, not allowing him any further part with the ball. The action taken was quick and decisive and again the situation was diffused.

Over the years I have had the pleasure of being invited by David into the umpires change room following a hot day in his roofless office. He is the first to offer an ice-cold glass of chardonnay and share the odd story of the days play. Believe me, he is not keen for you to leave in a hurry. He is one of those guys you always feel comfortable around and any query is never too much trouble.

Shep has been a credit to himself and a credit to the game and I look forward to congratulating him on his career……with the odd glass of chardonnay come the 3rd May in Antigua.

Cheers mate.