Harold “Dickey” Bird, one of cricket’s most famous and much-loved former judges, has passed away at the age of 92, announced by the Yorkshire County Cricket Club (CCC).
Byrd “died peacefully at his home,” the Yorkshire CCC wrote in a post Tuesday announcing the bird’s death.
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He began his umpire career in 1973 and hosted 66 Test matches, 69 men’s one-day international and three World Cup finals before retiring in 1996.
He was given honorary security guards at the Lord’s cricket field by players from England and India before his final test.
The bird’s quirky and humorous character loved him to cricket fans all over the world.
Yorkshire called Birds a “national treasure.” He was “known not only for his excellence in judgement, but also for his eccentricity and warmth.”
“Dickey Bird enjoys a illustrious career as an international judge and has written his name in history as the most famous and popular official in the history of the game,” the club said.
“He leaves behind a legacy of sportsmanship, humility and joy, and a large number of worshippers throughout the generation.”
Byrd, who sold over a million copies of his autobiography, was appointed president of Yorkshire in 2014.
Bird’s top-notch playing career, including his beloved Yorkshire and Leicestershire spells, was shortened by an injury at age 32, averaging 20.71.
He was undoubtedly the most famous referee in the world, and in 1970 he was in the first place in the county match in England.
In 1975, Bird was in charge of his first Men’s Cricket World Cup final.
“Dickey enjoyed a brilliant career as a referee,” said the Lord’s Marylebone Cricket Club, “and was one of the most popular officials in the history of the game.”
Long before the introduction of technology into cricket, Byrd became famous for being cautious about his decisions and making few clear mistakes, informing his parents that he “instilled this spiritual power to believe in them.”
With his glamour, in his later years he was as popular as the players he hosted, never refused to sign an autograph, often waiting patiently to do so even when the line was long. His autobiography was the UK’s best-selling sports book.
It was his peculiarity that he was so loved – the way he raised his fingers to give him a batter, his warmth and conversational approach, his smile, his leanings gait, the way he twitched his arms and pulled his judge’s jacket.
Byrd listed Garfield Thorber, Sunil Gavaskar, Viv Richards and Dennis Lilly as the best players he has ever umpied. One of his people in his life told the Guardian newspaper in 2013 that he had no family.
“I gave cricket a life, and it’s just as easy,” he said. “I was married to the game so I didn’t get married.”
The MCC is deeply saddened to hear of Harold “Dickey” Bird’s death. A member of the club’s honorary life, Dicky enjoys a illustrious career as a judge and was one of the most popular officials in the history of the game.
He hosted a 66-man test match and we were…pic.twitter.com/r22nsrkcaz– Lord’s Cricket Ground (@homeofcricket) September 23, 2025
