Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar led the cricketing fraternity in paying tribute to Harold “Dickie” Bird, widely regarded as one of the most loved umpires in the game’s history. Bird passed away peacefully at his home in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, on Tuesday, aged 92.Tendulkar on Friday penned a heartfelt message on X, writing: “Saddened to hear about Dickie Bird’s demise. His presence on the field made the game richer, and he umpired with fairness, grace, and humour.” He added, “One of the most endearing umpires the game has seen. I remember him fondly from my days with Yorkshire. Condolences to his family, friends, and all those who admired him.”Yorkshire County Cricket Club also confirmed the news with an emotional statement: “He leaves behind a legacy of sportsmanship, humility, and joy — and a legion of admirers across generations. The thoughts of everyone at the Yorkshire County Cricket Club are with Dickie’s family and friends during this time. He will be truly missed by all at the Club, having spent an incredible amount of time in support of everyone here, and will be remembered as one of the greatest characters in Yorkshire’s history.”Born on April 19, 1933, Bird initially pursued football but turned to cricket after a knee injury curtailed his playing ambitions. As a cricketer, he represented Yorkshire and Leicestershire in 93 First-class matches, scoring 3,314 runs with two centuries. Following his playing days, he coached before moving into umpiring, where he built his iconic legacy.Between 1973 and 1996, Bird stood in 66 Test matches, 69 ODIs, and seven Women’s ODIs. Known for his quirks, such as arriving at stadiums hours before play and his reluctance to give batters out leg before wicket, he became a beloved figure. Players often played pranks on him, but his humour and fairness made him universally respected.
