On This Day in 1996: Dickie Bird announces retirement from umpiring
One of cricket’s favourite figures announced his impending retirement 25 years ago on January 12.
Dickie Bird had become the sport’s most famous and well-loved umpire during a 23-year officiating career, renowned for his Yorkshire humour and eccentricities.
At the age of 62, Bird decided it was time to bring an end to his international career, announcing his final match would be the second Test against India at Lord’s later that summer.
At the instigation of England captain Michael Atherton, an emotional Bird was given a guard of honour from both teams as he walked out onto the pitch.
That did not stop him giving Atherton out leg before wicket for a duck in the first over of the match.
Bird began his cricketing career as a batsman for Yorkshire and Leicestershire, making 93 appearances and scoring two centuries.
A knee injury caused him to retire at 32 and six years later he officiated in his first county game before taking charge of a maiden Test match in 1973 between England and New Zealand at Headingley.
Overall, he umpired in 66 Tests – a world record at the time – and 69 one-day internationals, including three World Cup finals.
He continued to umpire at county level for another two years until 1998 and has remained a popular figure in retirement.
A statue of Bird was erected in his home town of Barnsley in 2009 while in March 2014 he was appointed president of Yorkshire.
Latest
-
NewsJames Anderson lands key wicket but Niroshan Dickwella fights on
England’s record wicket-taker was immediately on the hunt again, finding sharp movement off the pitch to remove Mathews in his first over.
-
NewsOn this day in 2016: Shivnarine Chanderpaul announces international retirement
Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2008, the West Indies batsman became only the second player to make a double century in his first Test as captain.
-
NewsSri Lanka v England Day One: Anderson and Mathews vie for control in Galle
James Anderson returned figures of three for 24.
-
NewsJames Anderson reveals nerves on Test return
The England seamer added to his 600 wickets as Sri Lanka finished day one on 229 for four in Galle.
-
NewsAlex Hales hits blistering Big Bash century
Hales has been in international exile since a second recreational drug test failure on the eve of England’s triumphant World Cup campaign.
-
NewsAngelo Mathews century repels England after James Anderson’s three-wicket burst
The 38-year-old finished with exemplary figures of three for 24 on a surface offering precious little encouragement.
-
NewsShubman Gill learned backfoot game with ‘1500 short balls every day’
Shubman Gill impressed with his technique against short-pitch bowling, and his father has said he honed those skills during practice.
-
NewsSri Lanka steady ship after James Anderson takes three wickets in Galle
The home side reached 155 for three at tea, with England’s record wicket-taker responsible for all three dismissals.
-
NewsCSA confident Australia tour will go ahead
CSA is confident the scheduled Australia tour to the country will take place despite the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in South Africa
-
NewsJames Anderson at the double on day one in Galle
Sri Lanka may have feared a repeat of their dismal 135 all out from last week.