London, Sept 24(HS): Dickie Bird, one of cricket’s most celebrated and charismatic umpires, has died peacefully at home at the age of 92.Born Harold Bird in Barnsley, he began his career as a batsman for Yorkshire and Leicestershire before injury curtailed his playing ambitions. But it was in the white coat that Bird achieved global fame, officiating in 66 Test matches and 76 one-day internationals between 1973 and 1996, including three World Cup finals. His genial personality, eccentricities, and command on the field made him an iconic figure in the game.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club hailed him as a national treasure and one of the greatest characters in the club’s history. The England and Wales Cricket Board said the game had lost a proud Yorkshireman and a much-loved umpire.

A Career Beyond Numbers

Bird was renowned not only for his umpiring excellence but also for the warmth and humour he brought to the game. Famous for quirky incidents—such as halting play at Old Trafford because sunlight reflected into a batsman’s eyes, or calmly sitting on covers during a bomb scare at Lord’s—he was admired for his ability to defuse tension and command respect from even the fiercest fast bowlers.

Before his farewell Test in 1996, players from England and India formed a guard of honour at Lord’s, a tribute to his stature. He later stood in a farewell county match at Headingley in 1998, remaining a familiar face at the ground well into retirement.

Tributes From Across the Sporting World

Close friend and former teammate Sir Geoffrey Boycott said Bird was loved by so many and became a legend, while former England captain David Gower remembered him as one of the very best umpires, a man respected for his fairness and adored for his humour.

Off the field, Bird was also a longstanding friend of late broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson and cherished his ties with Queen Elizabeth II, for whom he umpired matches on several occasions. He was granted the Freedom of Barnsley in 2000 and immortalised with a life-size statue in his hometown.

Former Prime Minister David Cameron described him as a national treasure, while ex-players including Kevin Pietersen called him an absolute legend of English cricket. Bird never married, dedicating his life wholly to the sport, and will be remembered for his blend of firmness, fairness, and humour.As Boycott summed up: Players the world over admired him for his integrity—and he always did it with a smile.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar