'Every decision I've ever given has been an honest one'

We must inevitably start with those famous superstitions of yours
I suppose many people, not especially interested in cricket see me on television - and remember me as that rather fat umpire who at certain times during a match, when for instance the score is 111 or 222 - jumps around on one leg. It's inclined to be a bit of a talking point in the commentary box. But I promise you it is not an affectation. Devon people are by nature superstitious. My little whims go back to club-cricket days. I keep an eye on the scoreboard - and I'm horrified if, just occasionally, I miss a Nelson or a Double Nelson

Roots are important to you ...
I was born in the estuary village of Instow in North Devon, and shall never leave it. That is where I'm happiest of all, along the sand dunes as I take my dog for a run. This is where I can relax after the intense concentration of a Test match. My brother Bill, himself so nearly a county cricketer, runs the local post office and newsagent's. I enjoy getting up early when there isn't a match, to deliver the papers for him.

Did your family encourage you to become a cricketer?
They always encouraged me when I did well as a schoolboy cricketer or played for the old-stablished North Devon CC on Instow's lovely and famous ground. But they also listened to sound advice about preparing myself for another career, as a schoolteacher. I was sent off to college to qualify as a teacher. Several counties had noted that I was making plenty of runs. I was invited for trials. So you can imagine my conflict.

I know you ended up doing some teaching for a short time. But cricket still won, didn't it?
Yes, I joined Gloucestershire, at a time when the county had great international players like Mike Procter and Zaheer Abbas. The necessarily acquired new disciplines were an education to me. They did their best to put me on a slimming diet. On one strenuous cross-country run , the rest of the players became suspicious that I'd dropped so far behind. And they were waiting for me, in hiding, when I arrived at the finish in a milk float! But even if my county record is relatively modest, I did go into the record books for a century on my debut. That was against Oxford University. Gloucestershire seemed to like my forceful approach - I always liked to attack the bowling.

The present generation know you more as an umpire than as a player. You have become one of the most respected in the world. Because of your good nature, were you ever in danger of being too chummy with the players?
I like to think I have a pleasant, at times jovial, relationship with the cricketers. But there have to be limits. Every decision I've ever given has been an honest one. I've had stern words with famous players. Once at Edgbaston I needed to lecture Mike Atherton when I felt he was sledging Sachin Tendulkar. I make sure I'm impartial.

Much as you hate some tendencies, like dissent, in the present game, are these outweighed by cricket's other timeless qualities?
There are so many warm memories to treasure. It's a very sentimental sport, too. I remember Curtly Ambrose's last Test in England. He went out of his way at the end to put his big arms around my shoulders and tell me how much he'd enjoyed having me as umpire over the years. David Boon said more or less the same when he had his final match for Durham, before flying home to Tasmania. These little compliments are so heartwarming. They help me to forget some of the less edifying moments that leave an umpire shaking his head.

What was your worst moment?
My lowest point came in my 56th Test, against Pakistan at Old Trafford. On the final day I missed three no-balls when Saqlain took three wickets. I didn't hear about it till the close - and I went cold with horror. I couldn't leave the ground quickly enough. On the long journey home to Devon, I was sick with torment. That was it, I told myself I was ready to walk out of Test umpiring. I could do without that kind of anguish at my age. My mind was made up, as I relived the Old Trafford pressure with Jenny, my partner. But over the next few days I was gradually talked out of it.

Umpires are having to live with the extra demands that come with the increasing use of technology. How do you cope?
TV technology is here to stay. I can accept that and realise the advantages. The one thing that bothers me is the danger that the umpires are being gradually stripped of their judgments and initiative. I really think that, whatever the human frailties, we get most things right. We don't want to be in a position where we are asked to count up to six. And nothing too much more.

Do I sense apprehension?
Not really. As a achoolboy scrum-half and second choice college goalkeeper I played most sports with great enthusiasm. And cricket remains for me the most wonderful one of all.