Nigel Plews

Who was Nigel Plews?

Nigel Trevor Plews was a cricket umpire, who stood in first class and international level matches. He was born in Nottingham.

Plews was unusual for a top level English umpire, in that he was one of only four umpires who have stood in Tests in England since World War II who did not play first class cricket. He stood in 11 Test matches between 1988 and 1995.

A big man - he was 6 ft 6in - with a commanding but calm presence, he had a sound temperament and excellent judgment, and held the respect of all those for whom he officiated. He took up umpiring full-time after retiring from a 25-year career with the Nottingham city police force, where he was a detective sergeant - he was nicknamed "Serge" on the field - in the Fraud Squad. He also worked for a large firm of accountants.

He also stood in 16 One Day International matches before retiring. Plews died of renal cancer on 19 October 2008.