Rating 10 best umpires of all time in cricket

A name very close to the hearts of many cricket lovers, David Shepherd and his many superstitions still continue to live. He was much more than a man who folded his leg when there was a nelson figure on the scorecard. Shepherd was calm as ice under pressure was not one of those who would fall easily to loud and cringy appealing.

He played 282 First-class and 183 List A games during his playing days but is remembered mostly for his time as a match official. He and Dickie Bird are the only English umpires to have officiated in three consecutive World Cup finals. Having stood in the middle for 92 Tests and 172 ODIs, he till date holds the record for the most matches officiated by an Englishman.

Among other superstitions apart from the nelson leg-fold, he would tie a matchstick to a finger on Friday 13th, so he would be touching wood to bring good luck all day. Also famous was his tendency to shake his hand while signaling fours; to this day, many fans in cricket crowds mimic his action while celebrating fours. Shepherd passed away at the age of 68 on 27 October 2009.