Harold “Dickie” Bird, one of cricket’s most beloved and respected umpires, passed away at the age of 92. Renowned for his accuracy, humility, and quirky charm, Bird officiated in 66 Tests and 69 ODIs between 1973 and 1996. His final Test at Lord’s marked the debuts of Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly. Prior to umpiring, Bird played for Yorkshire in first-class cricket, scoring over 3,300 runs. He was honoured with an MBE in 1986 and an OBE in 2012. Bird formed a renowned on-field partnership with David Shepherd and earned the admiration of cricket legends such as Sobers, Richards, Lillee, and Botham. Known for his unique mannerisms — including arriving at grounds by 6 am and once giving Sunil Gavaskar a mid-match haircut — he was cherished by players and fans alike. Beyond cricket, Bird enjoyed friendships with Queen Elizabeth, writer Stephen King, and several British Prime Ministers.
Harold “Dickie” Bird died at the age of 92. (News18 Creative)
Dickie Bird officiated in 66 Test matches and 69 ODIs between 1973 and 1996, earning global respect for his accuracy and charm on the field. (News18 Creative)
Dickie Bird’s last Test was the 1996 Lord’s match between India and England, remembered for the debuts of Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly.
Before umpiring, Dickie Bird played first-class cricket for Yorkshire (1956–1964), scoring 3,314 runs in 93 matches with two centuries. (News18 Creative)
Dickie Bird was awarded an MBE in 1986 and an OBE in 2012 for his outstanding contribution to cricket, alongside forming a celebrated umpiring partnership with David Shepherd. (News18 Creative)
Unmarried but socially well-connected, Dickie Bird was friends with Queen Elizabeth, Stephen King, and British Prime Ministers; he also authored two best-sellers and entertained audiences through talks and quiz shows after retirement. (News18 Creative)
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