Top 10 Umpires with most matches in World Cup history

Top 10 Umpires with most matches in World Cup history:
Umpires are the regulators on a cricket field, making match changing decisions which can affect the outcome of the match. They are loved, hated by fans and players for doing the dirty and the hardest job on the field, but some of them have made a special place in hearts and minds of cricketing world due to their antics and special way of signalling fours and sixes.

Here are 10 umpires who have had the honor of officiating in the prestigious World Cup matches the most times.

10. Khizer Hayat (Pak 1987-1996) – 18

A former first class cricketer playing for Pakistan Railways, Khizer Hayat made his umpriring debut in November 1978 in a match involving India and Pakistan in Sahiwal in Pakistan. In 1994, he was the one of the 2 Pakistani umpires along with Mehboob Khan on the ICC international umpire panel set up to ensure one neutral umpire in ever Test match.

He also umpired in World Cup from 1987-1996, with his last match coming in December of 1996, between Pakistan and New Zealand at the Jinaah stadium, Sialkot.

9. Harold ‘Dickie’ Bird (Eng 1975-1987) – 18
One of the most noted and respected umpires in world of cricket, Harold ‘Dickie’ Bird stood in World Cups from 1975-1987 in 18 matches. He played first class cricket for Yorkshire and Leicestershire, along the likes of legendary Geoffrey Boycott.

His first ODI as umpire was England vs New Zealand in 1973 at Leeds. One of the most liked umpires universally, Bird retired from umpiring in 1996, with his last test played between India and England, with players of both sides giving him the guard of honor.

8. Daryl Harper (Aus 2003-2011) – 22

Daryl Harper who stood in 22 ODIs in World Cups form 2003-2011 debuted as umpire in 1994 in a match between New Zealand and South Africa. Harper also officiated in one of the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup held in South Africa. He was dropped from the Elite Panel of Umpires in 2011 for performance reasons and retired from umpiring after the 2011 India vs West Indies Test series, after serious complaints from Indian contingent.

7. Simon Taufel (Aus 2003-2011) – 23

Another well-liked and respected umpires, Simon Taufel stood in 23 World Cup matches. He officiated in his first ODI at the age of 27 years in a match involving Sri Lanka and Australia. As a player, he played with Michael Slater and Adam Gilchrist as his team mates. He became a part of ICC Elite panel in 2003 and remained there until he retired in 2012 in a match between England and South Africa in 2012 at Lord’s.

He also got a chance to officiate the 2011 World Cup final as a result of Australia being eliminated in the QFs.

6. Srinivas Venkataraghavan (India 1996-2003) – 23

Former India spinner and Captain in the 1975 and 1979 World Cups, Srinivas Venkataraghavan retired from the game of cricket in 1983 with 156 wickets in 56 Test matches.

He made his umpiring debut in ODIs with a match between India and England in Jaipur in 1993. He was then chosen by the ICC on the inaugural Elite panel of umpires in 1994 and was a part of a revamped panel of top 8 umpires in 2002. Venkat stood in the semi-finals of the 1996 and 1999 World Cups, while he was the 3rd umpire in the 1999 World Cup final. Venkat retired in 2004 from umpiring with his last ODI coming in 2003,  a match between Australia and New Zealand in Faridabad.

5. Brent ‘Billy’ Bowden (NZ 2003-2015) – 25

Billy Bowden from New Zealand bought comic relief and character in to the game of cricket when debuted as an umpire in 1995 in a match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. He was included in the Elite Panel of umpires in 2003 and remained there till 2013. He was the umpire in the finals of the 2007 World Cup and was suspended from umpiring due to his involvement in the match being finished in dark due to a wrong decision.

He has stood in 192 ODIs so far and is a part of the 20 umpires chosen to officiate in the ongoing 2015 World Cup.

4. Rudi Koertzen (SA 1999-2007) – 25

South African umpire Rudi Koertzen was known for his slow, impending signal for out. He made his ODI debut as umpire in a match between India and South Africa in 1992. He became a part of the original Elite Panel of umpires in 2002, becoming the first umpire to stand in 200 ODIs in 2009.

Koertzen umpired in the semi-finals of 2003 World Cup and was the 3rd umpire in the finals of 2003 and 2007 World Cup. Koertzen retired from umpiring in 2010 after completing his goal of officiating in 100 Tests and 200 ODIs.

3. Aleem Dar (Pak 2003-2015) – 28

One the most liked and respected umpires from Pakistan, Aleem Dar made his umpiring debut in 2000 at the age of 32 in match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Gujranwala. He was made a part of the Elite Panel in 2002 and was the first Pakistani umpire to do so. He officiated in the 2007 World Cup final and was suspended for making Australia bowl 3 overs in complete darkness due to an error. He won the ICC umpire of the year award in 2009,2010 and 2011.

2. Steve Bucknor (WI 1992-2007) – 45

One of the top 3 umpires in the world during his entire career, Steve Bucknor holds the record for standing in 5 successive World Cup finals from 1992-2007. Debuting as an umpire in 1989 in a match between India and West Indies at St.John’s, Bucknor umpired a total of 181 ODI matches till his retirement in 2009.

He also officiated a match in FIFA World Cup qualifier between El Salvador and Netherlands Antilles in 1988. Bucknor was a part of Elite panel from 2002 till his retirement. Despite not scheduled to retire till 2011, a slew of wrong decisions especially in the India-Australia Test match in Sydney (monkey gate) led to his removal from the ICC. Bucknor is the first umpire to officiate all the test playing nations at least once.

1. Late David Shepherd (Eng 1983-2003) – 46

One of the really liked and respected umpires in history, Late David Shepard debuted as an umpire in 1983 in a match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He previously played first class cricket with distinction for Gloucestershire scoring 10672 runs from 282 matches with 12 hundreds to his name.

As an umpire, he stood in 172 ODIS and 92 Tests from 1983-2005. He stood in 3 consecutive World Cup finals in 1996, 1999 and 2003. Universally liked by players, officials both on and off the field, Shepard was known for his quirks as well. The most famous being his habit of lifting one foot off the ground whenever the score reached 111, or multiples thereof, they being regarded as unlucky by Shepherd in a ritual dating back to his childhood cricket team days. The number 111 is known as the “Nelson” and is considered unlucky for the batsman. Among other superstitions, he would tie a matchstick to a finger on Friday 13th, so he would be touching wood to bring good luck all day.

David Shepard retired from umpiring in 2005 and passed away in October 2009 from lung cancer.

*All stats update till 26th March 2015.