David Archer

Hailing from Carribean, David Myrton Archer was a West Indian cricketer and umpire who was born on 20th August 1931. He played first-class cricket for the Windward Islands but is most well known for standing in 28 Test matches between 1981 and 1992.

Early Career

Archer was a slow left arm bowler and right handed batsman who made three first-class appearances for the Windward Islands.

The first came against the touring Australians of 1964/65 and batting at number eleven he managed to score 11 not out and bowled 10 wicketless overs conceding 50 runs. He played only one game in both of the following two seasons, however his cricketing career was not successful and he switched to umpiring.

Umpiring Career

Archer umpired his maiden first-class game in February 1976, a match between Barbados and Jamaica. Five years later stepped to international level when chosen to stand in a ODI between England and the West Indies. Later on during England's tour he stood in his first Test.

David Archer was selected as the West Indian representative for the 1987 World Cup which was staged in Asia in which he stood in five matches in the tournament which was first major trial of neutral umpires.

Stats

Archer officiated in ten matches in England during the 1982 season along with umpiring in West Indian domestic cricket.

Retirement

David Archer’s final international game as an umpire came in April 1992 when he stood in South Africa’s first Test back after readmission.