Top 10 Best umpires in world cricket- The judges of cricket

Top 10 Best umpires in world cricket- The judges of cricket: In cricket we have seen many lists about batsmen, bowlers and fielders. But, often the role of umpires is being overlooked and is underrated though it’s one of the most important trades of the game. Like batsmen and bowlers specialize in a specific department or some in both the departments. Similarly, the job of umpires is also a work of specialization which can turn the game on its head. From standing on the ground for long hours in the hot summers to the possession of unbreakable concentration on each and every ball as well as aspect of the game, umpires are indeed hard-task masters. In a bid to give tribute to the unsung heroes of the game, we make a list of the Top 10 Best umpires in world cricket- The judges of cricket: 1. Dickie Bird (England): Dickie Bird. (© Getty Images) When six-foot statue of Bird was erected in his hometown Barnsley. It spoke volumes about the respect and honor with which the people perceived Harold Dickie Bird. The Sachin Tendulkar of umpires, Bird’s umpiring career spanned for 23 years from 1973 to 1996. Dickie Bird also officiated the World Cup finals of 1975, 1979 and 1983. He was renowned for his accuracy as well as his relation with the players who took him in high regards. Bird had a very typical work ethic which included his arrival on the field 5 hours before the match. Overall, Dickie Bird was part of 66 Tests and 69 ODI’s as an umpire. 2. David Shepherd (England): David Shepherd. (© Getty Images) One of the bubbliest figures in the game of cricket, David Shepherd always used to unveil a little hop or you can say a dance step whenever the scorecard was at 111 runs. Apart from his humor and joyful persona, David was known for his unmatched accuracy as he was the figure of justice in the eyes of the players. His umpiring career spanned for 22 long years in which he umpired in 172 ODIs and 92 Tests including World Cup finals of 1996, 1999 and 2003 respectively. Shepherd also holds the distinction of umpiring at least one Test match in every test playing nation. 3. Simon Taufel (Australia): Simon Taufel. (© Getty Images) Simon Taufel was the face of consistency in the illustrious history of umpires and is still regarded as the umpire who reached very close to perfection. From 2004 to 2008, Taufel swept all the umpiring awards as he got the prestigious ICC Umpire of the year award for 5 consecutive years. He was the face of integrity as far as umpiring is considered and always gave due importance to ethics and moral values. In his 13 years of umpiring career, Simon officiated as many as 74 tests, 174 ODIs and 34 T20s. 4. Aleem Dar (Pakistan): Aleem Dar. (© Getty Images) Aleem Dar is considered to be the best Pakistani umpire ever as well as among the best umpires going around in the world at present. Dar is one of the few umpires to have won the prized laurel of Umpire of the year award for three consecutive years in 2009, 2010 and 2011 consecutively. So far, Aleem Dar has featured in 151 ODIs and 74 test matches. The highest point in his career came in World Cup 2011 when he was able to give 15 correct decisions on the trot without the help of the DRS. In the game of cricket, where tempers flare up, the cool and calm persona of Aleem works in his favor to deliver the best in the spirit as well for the upliftment of the game. 5. Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan (India): Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan. (© Getty Images) Venkatraghvan has been the sole representative as well as the face of Indian cricket in umpiring for decades. The former Indian test cricketer also holds the distinction of umpiring in three World Cups 1996, 1999, 2003 respectively while he also officiated 6 Test matches. In the 90s era, which was hit by poor umpiring standards, Srinivasaraghavan was one of the most respected and neutral umpires. There is hardly any blot of controversies in his 11 year umpiring career which spanned for 73 test matches and 52 ODI’s. He was always part of the Elite panel of ICC umpires as well until his retirement in 2004 6. Rudi Koertzen (South Africa): Rudi Koertzen. (© Getty Images) You go and ask anyone in the cricket fraternity as who was the man referred to as the “slow death” for slowly raising his finger which was penultimate signal of disappointment for the batters as it indicated their ouster from the 22 yards. And it would be no brainer to hear the name of the South African umpire Rudi Koertzen. One of the most experienced umpires of the game, Rudi officiated 108 tests, and 206 ODIs along with 14 T20Is. Koertzen was a regular feature in the Elite Panel of ICC umpires for his accuracy in decision-making. 7. Billy Bowden (New Zealand): Billy Bowden. (© Getty Images) One of the funniest characters on the field of cricket, Billy Bowden was not a player but yet he enjoys high level of adulation among the players as well as fans. From his bent finger while giving out to his ultimate style of indicating fours and sixes, Bowden was a sheer treat to watch on the field with his trademark style. It was due to arthritis in his early age that he developed a curiously bent finger due to which ICC allowed him to continue his unique style which became sensation in world cricket. Bowden has officiated 84 test matches, 195 ODI’s and 21 T20s. 8. Daryl Harper (Australia): Daryl Harper. (© Getty Images) Daryl Harper holds the peculiarity of being the first Australian umpire to be inducted in ICCs Elite Panel of umpires. Harper’s wonderful career as an umpire lasted for 17 years in International cricket from 1994 to 2011. Overall, Harper officiated 94 Tests, 174 ODI’s and 10 T20Is. He is regarded as one of the finest umpires in the game of cricket. Although, his last appearance as an umpire in cricket was not as smooth as Harper would have liked it to be. In 2011, during the India-West Indies series after getting criticisms for his umpiring, Daryl Harper decided to quit in a gentlemen’s manner. 9. Ian Gould (England): Ian Gould. (© Getty Images) Very few know that Ian James Gould represented Arsenal in English club football as a goal-keeper. Ian Gould was a left-handed wicket-keeper batsman who played for Sussex in English county cricket besides representing England national team in 18 ODI’s. Fondly referred to as “Gunner”, Ian Gould has officiated 45 Test matches and 106 ODI’s and 29 T20Is. Gould is regarded as one of the top umpires going around in the trade. Gould made his debut as a ODI umpire in 2006 and as a Test umpire in 2008. 10. Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka): Kumar Dharmasena. (© Getty Images) Kumar Dharmasena is the only individual in cricket fraternity to feature in a World Cup final both as a player and as an umpire in 1996 and 2015 respectively. Kumar has had his shares of ups and downs in this trade. From being the umpire who gave away wrong decisions on few occasions particularly against Sachin Tendulkar to being the ICC umpire of the year in 2012, his journey is nothing less than a fairy-tale story. This youngest Sri Lankan umpire has officiated 32 Tests, 65 ODI’s and 17 T20Is so far. The 44-year old seems to possess a bright career ahead with improvements which he undertakes each and every day on the cricket field.

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