English Cricket Legend Dickie Bird Dies Aged 92

Harold “Dickie” Bird, one of cricket’s most beloved figures, died peacefully at home aged 92, Yorkshire County Cricket Club announced. He switched to umpiring in 1970 and stood in 66 Test matches, 69 One-Day Internationals and three World Cup finals, retiring to tributes that included a guard of honour at his final Test at Lord’s. Bird had been a first-class batsman for Yorkshire and Leicestershire before an injury ended his playing career. He was famed for his warmth, humour and distinctive mannerisms, sold more than a million autobiographies, appeared on Desert Island Discs and was honoured with an MBE and OBE; he was named president of Yorkshire CCC in 2014. Tributes from fans, officials and local leaders celebrated his charitable work and lasting legacy in cricket and his hometown of Barnsley.