For over a quarter century, Harold Dennis 'Dickie' Bird has been a household name in international cricket, officiating at 66 Test matches and 92 one-day internationals. Dickie’s career started in county cricket, not as an umpire, but as a batsman, for Yorkshire and then Leicestershire; invaluable experience for all those subsequent years standing behind the stumps, or at square leg. He umpired his final Test at an emotional day at Lord's in 1996 - the two teams - India and England - formed a 'guard of honor' as he came out, and he received a standing ovation from the crowd. Dickie, an emotional man was in tears. After a few more county matches in England, he declared his innings over in 1998.

Listed on Ents24.com since: Jun 2007