Rudi Koertzen dies in a vehicle accident at the age of 73
Rudi Koertzen, a former international cricket umpire who passed away at the age of 73, has been remembered with condolences. According to local media, Mr Koertzen died in an automobile accident in his home country of South Africa.
Koertzen began his umpiring career in 1981 and oversaw his first international match in 1992, when India visited South Africa.
Between 1992 and 2010, the well-liked official presided over more than 100 Test matches.
He was a member of the International Cricket Council’s top panel of umpires for eight years and officiated in 331 matches before retiring in 2010, a record that has since been eclipsed by Pakistan’s Aleem Dar.
Koertzen’s son Rudi Koertzen Jr confirmed the event to media. “My father went to a golf tournament with friends and they were supposed to be back on Monday, but it looks like they decided to play another round of golf,” his son stated.
Sachin Tendulkar, Wasim Akram, Adam Gilchrist and many other cricket greats pay tribute to Rudi Koertzen.https://t.co/6U5sGIUDrz
— ICC (@ICC) August 10, 2022
He earned the moniker “slow finger of death” because he lifted his finger slowly everytime a batter was given out.
“Every umpire has their trademark and that was mine. The media labelled it the ‘slow finger of death’ and I found that pretty interesting. There is a story behind it,” Koertzen had told reporters.“When my umpiring career first began, I used to hold my hands in front of me and every time there was an appeal, I would fold them against my ribs,” he added. “Then someone told me ‘Rudi, you cannot do that. Every time you raise your hands to fold them, the bowler thinks you are going to give him a wicket. So I started clasping my wrists at the back. The finger comes out slowly because it takes time for me to release my grasp at the back.”
R. I. P Rudi Koertzen.
The BCCI mourns the loss of one of the finest umpires to have officiated the game of cricket. pic.twitter.com/44Ztdhiioe
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 9, 2022
As a gesture of respect, South Africa donned black armbands on the first day of their trip against the England Lions in Canterbury on Tuesday.
Indian batsman Virender Sehwag stated: “Whenever I used to play a rash shot he used to scold me saying ‘play sensible, I want to watch your batting’.
Ex-Pakistan captain Wasim Akram tweeted: “Saddened to know about the sudden demise of umpire Rudi Koertzen. He was forthright and knowledgeable umpire, shared some wonderful moments with him on and off the field. My deepest condolences to the family. RIP.”
MCC is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Honorary Life Member and former umpire, Rudi Koertzen.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/A4y0oCxLpl
— Marylebone Cricket Club (@MCCOfficial) August 9, 2022
