The likable David Shepherd is no more.
The England umpire was known most prominently for his stodgy figure and his jumping from one foot to the other every time triple Nelson surfaced, ie, every time the scoreboard showed 111 or multiples of it – a quirk he attributed to the negative association of a superstition in his village in Devon.
The international umpire officiated in 92 Tests and 172 ODIs and became quite popular amongst the cricketers with the former West Indies captain, Brian Lara, giving the umpire a commemorative bat in June 2005 when he last officiated in a Test match. His official work including three consecutive World Cups as well.
He was said to be suffering from cancer and breathed his last at the age of sixty-eight.