*One Of The Best Umpires ICC Had : David Shepherd* Former international cricket umpire David Shepherd has died aged 68 following a long battle with cancer. Shepherd, who played for Gloucestershire for 14 years, stood in 92 Test matches and 172 One-Day International games between 1983 and 2005. (Text courtesy: Agencies) (Getty Images) Shepherd umpired three successive World Cup finals (1996, 1999 and 2003) and six tournaments overall, and will be fondly remembered for strictly observing cricket's Nelson tradition; giving a small hop whenever the score reached 111. Only Steve Bucknor and Rudi Koertzen have stood in more Tests than Shephered. (Getty Images) Shepherd was a first-class cricketer and during his 14-year-long career played 282 first class matches for Gloucestershire. His umpiring career started in 1981 from first-class matches. His last Test appearance was in June 2005 between the West Indies and Pakistan in Kingston and his final appearance was in an ODI at The Oval in 2005. (Gordon Brooks/AFP/Getty Images) The good-humoured Englishman, David Shepherd, was known for his superstitions - most notably his little hop when scores reached 111 or a multiple thereof. He was a favourite with the players and was respected world over. (Getty Images) International Cricket Council (ICC) president David Morgan expressed grief over the death of one of the greatest umpires of all time. "David was a true gentleman of the game," said Morgan. "He was a fine player and a match official of the very highest quality. He will be remembered fondly by players, spectators and administrators who saw him as a great entertainer but also as one of the best umpires the game has ever seen," he said. (Getty Images)
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