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Umpire Ian Gould signals a decision reversal after giving India's Sachin Tedulkar out LBW during this year's World Cup semi-final against Pakistan in Mohali

He said: "The most intimidating period was when we were lining up. I had a look around the ground and saw how many people were there and how passionate they are. You're not thinking about cricket then, your mind is on home and family and not wanting to let them down. Once you turn away from the anthems and get into the game, that's it, you're in."Ìý

Ian, of course, has done it all in the game. International player, county player at and , a coach and now umpire, not forgetting his football as well.Ìý

But how does his current job rate?

"I enjoyedÌýplaying and had great fun then as a young man - alsoÌýcoaching to a point. It was something I got drawn into, and enjoyed working with [Andrew]ÌýStrauss and [Owais] Shah, but it really wasn't me.

"You were reliant on other people and I like to rely on myselfÌýand my family. I'm a big family man and we tend to rely on one another and not worry about what other people are thinking and doing."

As for his 'pro-active' approach as an umpire, it's all part of his way of going about the job.

"I always wanted to umpire as I wanted to be umpired when I was a player. I don't want to be officious or be seen as a school master, but I do have another side to me as one or two people have found out.Ìý

"If I can deal with it on the field then you don't have much book work to deal with after the game. To be honest, at the moment I think international cricketÌýis at its highest of behaviour, with outstanding individuals.ÌýÌý

"For me to 'book' a player, there has to be something dramatic. If I can't deal with it on the fieldÌýyouÌýwill have had to be bang out of order or I've been bang out of order. Experience tells you what's coming next. DecisionÌýmaking is massive but to gain the respect of a player towards you is important,Ìýit's player management which is the major thing inÌýumpiring."ÌýÌý

As a spectator I've always wondered what umpires talk about with the players all day long at square leg. Could it be coaching and asking for tips? Ian says sometimes 'yes'.

"They ask butÌýI don't try and do too much of it as I was found out, I wasn't particularly a good coach and I don't want to ruin their careers.

"Playing and umpiring is much the same. Either you are in good nick or not.ÌýBasically it's about cutting down the chances ofÌý making major mistakes. I am trying to concentrate hard enough to make sure I don't make crazy mistakes.Ìý

"I have the concentration span of a gnat. When I stand at the bowler's endÌýI have to walk away and think of other things and wait for the bowler to start running in again before I can fully focusÌýbecause overloading this brain is not a great thing to do."

Yeah, right. Honest maybe, but only to a point. He's better than that.

Around the circuit you hear stories of umpires making mistakes, and then at a later point saying sorry to the player involved.ÌýIan is not a supporter of that kind of confession.

"I would be disappointed if I walked up to a player and said 'sorry, I think I made a mistake'," he said.

"You don't mean to make mistakes but that is human. Players will have their opinions and I'll have mine. To talk about it later and perhaps say sorryÌýis a sign of weakness."

Now, with such a schedule of globe trotting to come why on earth is Ian spending so much time doing county games? Does he not want a break and a bit of time to himself?

His answer is 'no', and it's because he feels he needsÌýto say thank you to those who helped him out at the .

"They gave me everything," he added. "They took me on when I was finished atÌýMiddlesexÌýand Mr Collier (David Collier,ÌýCEO) and Chris Kelly (the umpire manager) have been outstanding to me. This keeps me fit in mind and body."

To Ian, the idea of taking a couple of months off and going straight into an international game would be lunacy and wouldn't be good preparation. So given a chance he keeps his eye in on the domestic scene and loves it.

Of course, the doesn't exist in the county game but Ian isÌýa fan.

"I find it's anÌýamazing tool but if we have it,Ìýeverything needs to be made available to us," he said. "It gives not only theÌýumpire but the player the opportunity to seeÌýthatÌýdecisions taken might be pretty good."ÌýÌý

Ian is about to depart forÌýinternational duties. First up is at the end of the month and then the . County cricket's loss is the gain of the international game.