Legendary Umpire Dicky Bird Passes Away at 92

New Delhi (Uttam Hindu News): Dicky Bird, one of England’s most celebrated cricket umpires, passed away at the age of 92 on Tuesday in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. The Yorkshire Cricket Club confirmed his passing, stating that he took his last breath at home.

Yorkshire said in a statement, “He leaves behind a legacy of sportsmanship, humility, joy, and a vast number of fans.” The statement added, “During this difficult time, everyone at Yorkshire County Cricket Club stands with Dicky’s family and friends. He will be deeply missed and remembered as one of the greatest personalities in Yorkshire’s history.”

Known as one of the most beloved umpires in cricket history, Dicky Bird was famous not only for his excellent decisions but also for his quirky habits. He was known for arriving early at matches and being reluctant to give batsmen out LBW. On one occasion, he attempted to climb into the stadium wall at 6 AM for an 11 AM match, when security caught him.

Born on April 19, 1933, in Barnsley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, Bird umpired 66 Test matches, 69 ODIs, and seven women’s ODIs from 1973 to 1996.

Unable to pursue a football career due to a knee injury, Dicky Bird devoted his life to cricket, contributing as a player, coach, and umpire. He played 93 first-class matches for Yorkshire and Leicestershire, scoring 3,314 runs, including two centuries and 14 half-centuries. After retirement, he coached at Plymouth College (1966–68) and Johannesburg (1968–69).

Bird umpired his first County Championship match in 1970 and his first Test match in 1973 between England and New Zealand at Headingley, Leeds. Known for hesitating to raise his finger for LBW appeals, he often gave the benefit of doubt to batsmen, and many of his decisions were overturned in the DRS era. Dicky Bird was awarded the MBE in 1986 and the OBE in 2012 for his outstanding contributions to cricket.