Rest in Peace - Dickie Bird.

[Art Vandelay_]

Farewell to one of cricket's great umpires and characters.
Giant of the game.

 

[HalloweenJack]

The best umpire. RIP

 

[Plugger35]

Sad to hear this news but he had a good innings.

I saw Dickie do a lap of honour at Lord's during the tea break in the 2001 Ashes test and he got a standing ovation.

Not too many umpires in any sport would get that sort of honour and be as widely liked and respected as Dickie was.

 

[largebus]

There was a good doco on him a few months back. Clearly still hadn't lost a step then. Vale

 

[Gough]

With Dickie and Parky gone it's just Boycott left of the Barnsley boys made good now.

 

[CURVE]

Very sad to hear of Dickie's passing he was the best Umpire of his era, and probably the best of all time. Even if he was a Pom.

RIP Dickie Bird.

 

[Rabish Binney]

Dean Jones recalled in his autobiography a funny story about Dickie

It was in the 3rd test at Edgbaston on the 1989 tour. Terry Alderman was bowling to England no. 11 Paul Jarvis. Alderman bowled a good length ball, right on middle stump which Jarvis just let it hit his pad without playing a shot.

Of course, it was the plumbest LBW one would ever see (I actually can still picture this delivery in my head)

As the Aussies ran in to celebrate the wicket, Dickie called out to Jones and in his Yorkshire drawl said; 'Johan, Jonah. He should learn to use his bloody bat'.

 

[Westend]

Legend of the game great umpire fantastic person

RIP Dickie

 

[Westend]

Dean Jones recalled in his autobiography a funny story about Dickie

It was in the 3rd test at Edgbaston on the 1989 tour. Terry Alderman was bowling to England no. 11 Paul Jarvis. Alderman bowled a good length ball, right on middle stump which Jarvis just let it hit his pad without playing a shot.

Of course, it was the plumbest LBW one would ever see (I actually can still picture this delivery in my head)

As the Aussies ran in to celebrate the wicket, Dickie called out to Jones and in his Yorkshire drawl said; 'Johan, Jonah. He should learn to use his bloody bat'.

That series Dickies arm was so tired from raising it so many times for lbw lol ...I can see why he was annoyed

 

[RookiePick]

A giant of the game. Vale Dickie Bird.

 

[MisterMarcus]

With Dickie and Parky gone it's just Boycott left of the Barnsley boys made good now.

I think it was in Dickie's autobiography, he tells the story of him and Parky's audition for Yorkshire. The coach was apparently a stereotypical Yorkshireman: serious, taciturn, no BS.

Parky bats first with Dickie and the coach watching.

Coach: Is that lad your mate?
Dickie: Yes
Coach: Hmm....what's he do then?
Dickie: He's an opening batsman.
Coach: Opening batsman is it? Hmm....Has he got a job?
Dickie: He's studying journalism at University.
Coach: Journalism is it? Hmm....Well can you give him some advice from me?
Dickie: Yes, what's the advice?
Coach: Tell him to stick to journalism!

 

[philreich]

Appropriate that the Don Bradman of umpires died at the same age as the great man.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Vale Dickie.

Don't think I ever heard a cricketer say a bad word about Dickie despite players not always agreeing with his decisions. A real character of the game.

 

[Lunchtime]

Sad news. R.I.P

 

[Gough]

 

[CliffMcTainshaw]

One of the greats of cricket. Many years ago I came across his autobiography in an op-shop for a dollar. It was a terrific read. I then lent to some friends, workmates and a former student, who had all become umpires. They all loved it, particularly my former student, who is now on the ICC International Panel of Umpires. He loved it because it gave him a real insight into what sort of things could happen during his umpiring career.
Vale Dickie, you were a sensational umpire and person.

 

[Rabish Binney]

Speaking of fiercely loyal Yorkshiremen (and to bring a bit of laughter to a very sad passing):-