Lionel Cann has hailed David Shepherd as the consummate professional and described his death as a huge loss to cricket.

Shepherd, one of only two overseas umpires to stand in Cup Match, died of cancer yesterday. He was 68.

A former English Test umpire, Shepherd was controversially drafted in along with countryman Mervyn Kitchen, to officiate in the 2006 Classic at Somerset.

It is the only time in the 108-year history of Cup Match that foreign umpires have taken charge.

The duo were appointed to officiate the annual mid- summer classic in an attempt to stamp out some of the unsavoury incidents that had occurred at Wellington Oval the previous summer.

Former Bermuda international Cann was captaining St.George's for the first time when Shepherd umpired Cup Match and has fond memories of the popular official.

"It's a very sad day for cricket. David Shepherd umpired my first Cup Match as St.George's captain, which we won, so I've very happy memories of that game," Cann said.

"There had been a big fracas the summer before and so Shepherd and Mervyn Kitchen were brought over and they certainly improved the things.

"It was a privilege to play in a match umpired by Shepherd and I remember him being very professional.

"He'd have a word with you if you were stepping over the line and if someone was over-appealing he'd just give you a look – that would be enough.

"I pass on my condolences to his family and friends. David Shepherd touched Bermuda during that Cup Match."

Shepherd was famous for his superstitious habit of standing on one leg when a team reached certain scores which endeared him to cricket fans worldwide.

The former Gloucestershire batsman, who was a veteran of 92 Tests and 172 one-day internationals, retired from umpiring in 2005 and received a standing ovation from the fans and players after his final match, a one-day game between England and Australia at the Oval.

"I'm very sad and shocked it's happened," said Dickie Bird, a fellow Test umpire.

"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."

International Cricket Council president David Morgan described Shepherd as a true gentleman of the game.

"He was a fine player and a match official of the very highest quality," Morgan said.

"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.

"The example he set as someone who took the art of umpiring very seriously while also enjoying what he did immensely will leave a lasting legacy for the game.

"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."

Gloucestershire chairman John Light said Shepherd's superstitious habit of standing on one leg went back to his days as a player.

He persuaded his team-mates and club officials to do the same and sometimes they even do it now, he said.

"He was tremendously superstitious.

"When the score was 111, 222 or 333, David would be hopping about on one leg and everybody in the dressing room had to do the same," Light said. "We all do it in the committee room.

"When we do it, we say 'Shep would have us dancing.' We do it, and we'll go on doing it."

Shepherd made 12 centuries in his 10,672 first class runs in 282 matches for Gloucestershire before he stopped playing in 1979 and became an umpire. He began umpiring Tests and ODIs in 1983.

"As an umpire he has always been a familiar and much-loved face, not only here but at cricket grounds around the world," Light said. "He was friendly, outgoing and straightforward.

"He believed cricket was a simple game and he took a straightforward approach to it in his cricket and his umpiring. He always put a smile on your face."