Johnners spotted Shepherd's habit

Shepherd trying to avoid bad luck from 'Nelson' in 2005 by lifting his foot

Fondly remembered cricket umpire David Shepherd's "Nelson" antics were brought to the public's attention by Brian Johnston on Test Match Special.

Shepherd, who has passed away at the age of 68 after a battle with cancer, revealed the origins of his superstition when the score was on 111 - known as "Nelson" to cricket followers - to BBC Radio Gloucestershire in 1995.

"I've always done it, no-one noticed until my second Test at Edgbaston," he explained.

"Someone had written in to dear Brian Johnston, the score got on to 111 and a great roar went up when I jumped, he told the world and it stuck.

"I gave another little jump and they roared again, I thought there must be a streaker coming on, but it was dear Brian talking on the radio and the crowd had their transistors listening to Brian telling them to watch me jumping on 111."

The superstition became his trademark and was greeted with cheers from crowds, as it became an event within games he was involved in.

"It's daft isn't it? Dancing around on 111, a lot of people say 'look at that idiot, what's he doing that for' but I am very superstitious," Shepherd said.

"I've always done it - I did it as a club player, I did it when I played for Gloucestershire but no-one noticed then and nobody said a thing."

After being spotted playing minor counties cricket for his native Devon, Shepherd went on to score over 10,000 runs for Gloucestershire.

He was a member of the Gillette Cup winning team in 1973 and the side that triumphed in the 1977 B & H Cup final and freely admitted they were the highlights of his playing career.

"A lot of people never get to Lord's," he said.

"A lot of people get to Lord's in a final and never win - I was very, very lucky with Gloucestershire, we got there twice and we won on both occasions."