Marais Erasmus, a seasoned umpire from South Africa, is set to retire after officiating the New Zealand vs. Australia Test match in Christchurch. Throughout his career, he has umpired in a variety of international cricket matches, including 82 men’s Tests, 124 men’s ODIs, 43 men’s T20Is, and 18 women’s T20Is. Additionally, he has served as the TV umpire in 131 international games.
Erasmus has had a remarkable journey, being part of several prestigious tournaments such as the Cricket World Cups, T20 World Cups, and Women’s T20 World Cups. He was also involved in significant moments, like officiating the dramatic final of the 2019 World Cup between England and New Zealand.
Reflecting on his career, Erasmus expressed gratitude for the opportunities he had and the joy he experienced being a part of the cricketing community. He mentioned that while he’ll miss umpiring, he looks forward to finding new ways to contribute to the sport.
ALSO READ: AUS vs NZ: Australia wins toss, bowls in 2nd test. Southee and Williamson reach 100 tests for New Zealand
His colleague, Rod Tucker, praised Erasmus’s calm and welcoming demeanor, comparing him to the legendary umpire David Shepherd. Erasmus has been recognized multiple times as the ICC Umpire of the Year, winning the David Shepherd Trophy in 2016, 2017, and 2021.
A triumphant legacy in Cricket officiating
Marais Erasmus received three prestigious ICC Umpire of the Year awards in 2016, 2017, and 2021, acknowledging his outstanding contributions to cricket officiating. This puts him in esteemed company alongside Richard Kettleborough and Aleem Dar, with Simon Taufel leading the pack with five honors. Erasmus became part of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in 2010, leaving a lasting mark on the cricketing world.