Adieu Dickie Bird!

Harold 'Dickie' Bird was the gold standard for accuracy of decisions and considered a man of great integrity. Players respected him and never doubted his judgement. His popularity ran beyond cricket as he was a favourite of spectators as well.

It will now be part of fond memories as Bird passed into the mist of  time yesterday, at the age of 92. The former Yorkshire cricketer officiated in 66 tests and 69 ODIs. He'd officiated in the three World Cup finals including the 1983 summit clash when India shocked the mighty West Indies to lift the trophy.

A few interesting anecdotes about Bird :-

     * Former Indian wicket keeper batsman Kirmani says that he was the best umpire in their time and era.

        "He was very straight forward and genuine".

     * Bird's last Test was the 1996 Lord's match between India and England in which former captains 

        Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid made their debut.

     * "During the 1983 WC final, when Balwinder Sandhu came out to bat, he was the last man and 

        (I) Kirmani was at the non-striker's end. Malcolm Marshall bowled a bouncer to Ballu and it hit him

        on his helmet, so Bird fired the hell out of the West Indian pacer and made him apologise to

        Ballu".

My take

Adieu Dickie Bird! My heartfelt condolences!! Tears and prayers!!!

Tailpiece.

Got up at 5, sent all the morning messages, switched on the hymns on the home theatre, lit up the puja room lamp and opened up the house for the day.

Made Lekha wait for me in the morning, which was unpardonable.

Made our morning cuppa.

Lekha had conducted the usual Wednesday morning 'aarathi'.

A quiet Wednesday.