LONDON, July 2: David Shepherd has turned down the chance to umpire this month’s first cricket Test between England and Australia. International Cricket Council was willing to waive their neutral umpires rule to allow him to stand at Lord’s.

But the 64-year-old has decided to stick to his decision to bow out of Test cricket following recent West Indies v Pakistan series.

“He said there would be too much fuss and he would prefer to go quietly,” revealed ICC chief Malcolm Speed.—Agencies