 Shepherd received a presentation after Tuesday's game |
Tributes have flooded in from around the world to mark the end of umpire David Shepherd's international career. He officiated at The Oval on Tuesday as England played Australia in a one-day international, his 172nd.
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh led the praise, saying: "David's success as an umpire is not measured in statistics. Really good umpires need a special kind of personality and temperament."
Australian Prime Minister John Howard added his own message of goodwill.
He said: "Those who love and follow the game in Australia will miss 'Shep' no longer officiating in international matches and the unique contribution he brought over many years to these games." Sir John Major, the former British Prime Minister sent a personal letter to Shepherd.
It read: "You have brought skill and character to a game that thrives on both these attributes and we all owe you our thanks.
"May you stand on both your feet until at least the age of 111."
Shepherd, who also stood in 92 Tests, will continue to umpire domestic cricket for the remainder of the 2005 English county season.
He said: "I've got the domestic season in front of me, so I'm still in touch with the game.
"I suppose I will always remember my first Test, and always remember my first World Cup final.
"I have been lucky enough to have done three, but the best bit was playing."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Cricket interviews 