As a player, he turned out in 93 first-class games, scoring two centuries and averaging 20.71, with a highest score of 181 not out against Glamorgan in 1959.
Photo: IANS
Harold ‘Dickie’ Bird, regarded as one of cricket’s most iconic umpires, has died aged 92. Bird officiated in 66 Test matches and 69 ODIs, including three World Cup finals, and was long associated with Yorkshire, the county where he started as a top-order batter in 1956, and later became president in 2014.
As a player, he turned out in 93 first-class games, scoring two centuries and averaging 20.71, with a highest score of 181 not out against Glamorgan in 1959. After moving to Leicestershire in 1960, a career-ending injury in 1964 forced him to step away from playing, though it set him on the path to umpiring.
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“Dickie Bird enjoyed an illustrious career as an international umpire, writing his name into history as the most famous and popular official in the game’s history,” Yorkshire Cricket Club said in a statement.
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“Over a distinguished career, he officiated in 66 Test matches and 69 one-day internationals, including three World Cup finals – earning the admiration of players and fans alike for his integrity, humour, and unmistakable style.
“He is synonymous with Yorkshire Cricket, where he has been one of the most loyal supporters. In 2014, he was named president of The Yorkshire County Cricket Club, a role he held with pride and distinction,” the statement added.
Bird retired in 1996, having last officiated in the Lord’s Test against India that marked the debuts of former Indian skippers Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid.
For his services to cricket, he was awarded an MBE in 1986 and an OBE in 2012. He stood in his final first-class match in 1998, Yorkshire versus Warwickshire at Headingley.
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