Cricket is mourning the death of Dickie Bird, perhaps the most famous official in any sport, at the age of 92.
Born in Barnsley, Bird played 93 first-class matches as a batsman for Yorkshire and Leicestershire in a nine-year career ended prematurely by injury in 1964. But it was as an international umpire that he made his name, eventually standing in 66 Tests and 69 ODIs, including three World Cup finals.
Though he was generally regarded as a not-outer, he enjoyed the respect and affection of every player he came across, primarily because he officiated with humour and integrity.
As a statement released by his beloved Yorkshire put it: ‘Dickie Bird became a national treasure, known not only for his umpiring excellence but also for his eccentricities and warmth.’
A fervent royalist who claimed to have met the Queen 29 times, he was made an MBE in 1986 and an OBE 26 years later, in recognition of his contribution to the sport.