Marais Erasmus Concludes His Umpiring Career
Marais Erasmus, aged 60, is set to officiate his final match this Friday in the second Test of the ICC World Test Championship series between New Zealand and Australia.
Reflecting on his career, Erasmus stated, “I have had a wonderful time on the Elite Panel, officiating in some top-class matches around the world and in global ICC events. I am very fortunate to have continued my association with the game after my time as a cricketer in South Africa and have enjoyed every moment.”
Erasmus, who joined the Elite panel of ICC umpires in 2010, shares the title of the longest-serving current umpire with Rod Tucker.
Marais Erasmus, a member of the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, is the 2021 ICC Umpire of the Year
All the announced awards so far https://t.co/2SczDfXxGP pic.twitter.com/zaC0BSyMXf
Erasmus’ illustrious career includes winning the David Shepherd Trophy for the ICC Umpire of the Year in 2016, 2017, and 2021. The Christchurch Test will mark his 82nd Men’s Test match as an umpire, ranking him 10th on the list of umpires to officiate in most Test matches.
His career highlights include officiating in four ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups, seven ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, three ICC Women’s T20 World Cups, and two ICC Men’s Champions Trophy tournaments. Notably, Erasmus was one of the two on-field umpires for the dramatic final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2019 between England and New Zealand.
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ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice congratulated the South African on his outstanding career, stating, “Marais has had an outstanding career as an international umpire. He has officiated in many global ICC tournaments, including World Cup finals, as well as high-profile series all over the world, at all times displaying his skill, calmness and composure, even in the most challenging of situations.”
The second Test between Australia and New Zealand will be his 380th as an official. Erasmus’ long career as an umpire began in 2006. In 2010, he became a part of the Elite panel of ICC umpires.
Fellow Elite panel umpire Rod Tucker summed up Erasmus’ career stating that the retiring umpire “epitomises what the Elite Panel is supposed to be”.
“I think the greatest compliment I could give Marais is that he would be mentioned in the same breath as the great David Shepherd, both so calm but very strong and so well respected by all those in the game.”