Debasis Sen
“Dickie Bird became a national treasure, known not only for his umpiring excellence but also for his eccentricities and warmth,” said a Yorkshire County Cricket Club statement released to announce his passing on September 23. “He leaves behind a legacy of sportsmanship, humility, and joy — and a legion of admirers across generations.” It says much about Bird’s stature in the game that not a soul would argue with those words. Few players, and even fewer officials, have been so loved by so many.
RevSportz was fortunate enough to speak to Bird during the England-India Test at Headingley in June. Even at 92, he couldn’t stay away from the game that was the great love of his life. It is with utmost respect and fondness that we reproduce the conversation we had that day. Rest in Peace, Mr Bird. The game will not forget you.
Do you still enjoy watching a game of cricket at Headingley?
Dickie Bird: Yes, I enjoy coming to all the Test matches at Headingley. I also watch the matches of Yorkshire because I am a life member of the county. That’s how I pass my time. As a life member of MCC, I get invited to watch Test matches across venues in England.
Did you enjoy watching Shubman Gill score a hundred in his maiden Test as captain for India? How do you find Rishabh Pant?
Bird: I was very impressed to see both of them bat for the first time. I think Shubman is going to be a fine player and will definitely find his name in the record books. I honestly think he will be a great batter. As far as Pant is concerned, I think he too should do well as a Test batsman.
Do you reckon Joe Root is the best Test batter now after the retirement of Virat Kohli?
Bird: I think he is the best in the world now. I think there are four. Williamson, Kohli, Smith and Root. They are the best four batsman in the world. I have always been a big admirer of Root. He is probably the best Yorkshire batter after Len Hutton.
Were you disappointed to see Harry Brook miss out on a Test hundred the other day?
Bird: I was very disappointed that Harry missed the hundred. I think he will go a long way. I know him well personally. He can put his name in the record books.
What are your predictions for the ongoing Test series between India and England?
Bird: I think it is going to be a close series. It is the first time I saw [Jasprit] Bumrah. I was so pleased to see him getting five wickets. He deserved it more than anyone. Remember, he had a few catches dropped as well. I was very impressed with him.
You once umpired from both ends in a Test match against West Indies. Do you remember it?
Bird: Yes, I do. It was at Edgbaston. When they (West Indies) had a loud appeal for a leg before against Boycott. I was at square leg. My colleague Arthur Fagg was confronted by the West Indies side which was very strong those days. Fagg said to me he was not going back to the field if he does not get an apology from the Caribbean side. I told him you’ve got to be back on the field, but he shook hands with me and said he was going home. In fact, he went home.
You grew up wanting to be a footballer. Which was your favourite team and player?
Bird: We had many favourite players. We are having a lean time at the moment. I watch matches of Barnsley Football Club. I buy season tickets every year just to support them. I get a lot of pleasure going to the stadium to watch Barnsley play.
Sir Geoffrey Boycott in an interview said you could have ended up scoring more runs had you not been nervous. Do you agree?
Bird: Probably Geoffrey was right. If I had Boycott’s temperament as a batsman, I could have scored more runs.
Do you still remember receiving the guard of honour in your final series against India?
Bird: Yeah, I wanted to do my last Test match against India and I wanted it to be staged at Lord’s.
Finally, when you worked in a coal mine as a teenager, did you even imagine there would be a statue of you in your hometown or a pavilion named after you?
Bird: I am very pleased to have a statue in Barnsley where I was born. I got four doctorates as well for services to cricket and charity. Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and Huddersfield – four universities. I used to go to the mines every morning. One day, my father said to me you are going to play cricket to earn a living. I played for Yorkshire. It is an absolute honour to have a big statue of me built on the exact spot where I was born in Barnsley.
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