GLOUCESTERSHIRE chairman John Light has called for an appropriate tribute to recognise the ‘‘worldwide standing’’ of former Test umpire David Shepherd, who died yesterday after a long battle with cancer.

Shepherd, who was a batsman for the county for 14 years but came to prominence as a leading umpire, passed away aged 68 in the early hours of yesterday morning.

He stood in 92 Tests around the world and umpired three successive World Cup finals and was perhaps most famous for his one-legged jigs when the score reached 111, 222 or 333, known as a ’Nelson’. He retired in 2005 but was struck by cancer soon after.

And Gloucestershire chairman Light believes fitting tributes will be made to the universally-popular Shepherd.

He said: ‘‘We have already spoken to people and there will be a service at Instow church, which was exactly what he wanted, and a largescale memorial service – though we don’t know where that is yet.

‘‘We are redeveloping our ground at Bristol and it may be that we consider naming part of it after him but it’s early days for that. But certainly at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club there will be an appropriate tribute because of the general respect we have for him.’’ Light added: ‘‘I think the world of cricket will pay an appropriate tribute. I don’t want to put words into the mouth of the MCC or ECB but I’m sure his contribution to the world game was such that we’ll get a world tribute, I think that would be appropriate.

I don’t decide that though.

‘‘It’s not just his standing in Bristol, it’s his worldwide standing because he was popular wherever he went umpiring.

He could communicate with the crowd, like the way he signalled a four with his little wave.

‘‘I happened to notice when watching the final of the Champions League Twenty20 competition in India that some of the Indian supporters were celebrating fours exactly like he used to signal them, with the wave.

‘‘It goes to show the international respect and appeal.’’ The International Cricket Council were similarly quick to pay tribute to Shepherd.

President David Morgan said: ‘‘David was a true gentleman of the game. He was a fine player and a match official of the very highest quality.

‘‘He will be remembered fondly by players, spectators and administrators who saw him as a great entertainer but also as one of the best umpires the game has ever seen.

“He was an engaging character which meant players and other umpires were always delighted to be around him. We have lost someone whose positive influence on our great sport has been immense.’’ David Collier, the ECB chief executive, added: ‘‘Shep was not only one of the greatest umpires of all time but he was also a friend to all involved in cricket.

‘‘His cheery personality created a wonderful atmosphere at every match in which he was involved and he will be sadly missed by everyone involved in cricket throughout the world.’’ The current international umpires made a collective tribute to the legendary figure.

‘‘Shep was one of the truly great cricket umpires that we have seen but more importantly he was one of the true gentlemen of the game of cricket,’’ said a statement.

‘‘The international umpires will fondly remember his smiling face, his warm personality and his ever helpful demeanour.’’ A tearful Dickie Bird, who regularly stood opposite Shepherd in Tests and one-day internationals, said: ‘‘I’m very sad and shocked it’s happened.

He was a fine umpire.

We umpired together all over the world. He was a character, a great man, and a tremendous bloke.

‘‘I’ve lost a friend. A great friend.’’