The Dulux Cricket Show was a unique half-hour package based on the variety they featured on the show
The man on show today at the age of 68 , a fair-minded umpire , and if the ICC is struggling to define the meaning of ” Sprit of Cricket,” take David Shepherd as your brand ambassador.
Soft spoken , fondly referred to as Shep , to many county and international players , his authority on decisions on the field was around 90 %. Hence, he was tagged as an unbiased, fair-minded man known for his obligations to his Church and his obedience to the word of God.
Shep stood in the heat of the sun , in wintery conditions , amongst the most volatile competitors , proving to millions of spectators and television viewers , and the unforgiving media , but excelled in his tour of duty without blemishes that cost any uproar.
192 one day games with 92 Tests is no easy task , wearing the white coat , and jumping on one foot when the scoreboard hit the Nelson mark. Many umpires in the current era still emulate David Shepherd signalling a boundary with the mini shake of the hand. I hope you can pitchure what I am stating. Shep was very superstitious , he told me if 13th fell on a Friday, he would tie a match stick in his fingers to ensure he touches wood and avoid bad luck.
I caught up with him on our half-hour episode at Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo when he came to officiate in the Test Series with Sri Lanka playing South Africa back then.
Introduced Shep to our viewers as the fair-minded gentleman who played for the English County Glosterlsherre but took up umpiring instead of being a school coach back in 1981 and was soon recognised as an international class umpire in 1983.
I asked him if he got annoyed with the players for over appealing or using unparlimentry language or even racial abuse on the field.
He said I never get angry with players if I find it challenging standing in the heat in subcontinental conditions or shiver in the breeze of mild winter back home , I can understand the anxiety and pressure the players go through. Well, sometimes, racial remarks are made , I know that’s awful , so I remind the player concerned that this game belongs to gentlemen. Hence, race or creed is not what Cricket stands for. I say that with a smile.
I love umpiring with the West Indies or the Sri Lankans on the field. They hardly utter a word or use un parliamentary language. In fact, they make our task easier, make us feel at home. Easy going. I remember I made a decision error against a Murali top spin with Hansie Cronje on strike, I presumed it spun too much and gave my decision in favour of the batsman. Replays showed I was wrong, Hansie went on to score big. Overnight, I regretted my error, was almost in tears when i thought of the mistake, but consoled myself , that it was a human error and not a biased folly. Met Murali the next day conveyed my apology, and Murali said don’t worry ump , we are all human , even I thought the ball did too much. So we both got it wrong , u openly and I in my mind. ..we laughed it off.
He said it’s difficult to get every decision spot-on. The pitches in Sri Lanka are challenging due to the invariable bounce and the spin off the foot marks.
Its not as challenging in England , Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and even easier in the Caribbean.
The crowds in India are so noisy that u can miss a nick if a batter does not walk off. I realised that during my era in county cricket we walked if we nicked but in international cricket , guess your wicket has more commercial value that your honesty.
He stated he loved Sri Lankan hospitality. Cuisine, the ever smiling supporters, and Sri Lanka Cricket.
He said Brian, you have some excellent and exciting players.” Natural , talent good foot work , wristy , and exceptional hand eye coordination which is a cog for player.
Shep spoke very highly of our schools structure but was a bit reserved with his comments on the standards at first class level.
The more challengers you face at first-class level and not get complacent scoring or taking scalps against weak opposition will help u perform better in the international stage.
It’s pertinent that your first class matches are challenging to keep your players always focused.
Finally, he stated that Sri Lanka is blessed with plenty of talent in the batting cordon. Chaminda Vass and Murali are world-class , and I felt your fielding can improve. This is what I v observed Brian , and he stated it with a very sincere heart.
I wound up by stating here is an ambassador for the spirit of cricket and what it stands for , be fair-minded like David Shepherd.
David bid the World Goodbye in 2009 , 3 consecutive world Cups , 92 Tests 172 ODI’ s just pitchure that for experience in officiating, and skil level and mind and man management.
Bye bye