Koertzen becomes the second man to stand in 100 tests, applauds Sachin and Lara

By
for Cricketain.com

Published: July 17, 2009

commentComment     Email This Post Email This Post     Printable version

Rahul Bajaj

Rudi Koertzen, who became just the second umpire to officiate in 100 tests on Thursday, said that Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara are the two cricketers he has highest regards for.

Koertzen, who recently became the first umpire to stand in 200 one day internationals, became the only umpire after Steve Bucknor to officiate in 100 tests when he took the field in the second Ashes test at Lords.

Looking back, the 60 year old South African, said that he is fortunate to have seen Tendulkar and Lara bat up close.

“I have been fortunate and privileged to have seen some of the greatest modern day cricketers very closely. It would be unfair to pin-point one or two players but I have to name Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar for whom I have the greatest respect and I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing them bat,” he said.

“They had amazing reflexes and used to pick up the ball as soon as it left the bowler’s hand which helped them make batting look very graceful and elegant due to their superb timing, excellent footwork, ability to hit the gaps and score runs off good balls. While Sachin continues to delight us with his batting, it was sad to see retire Brian in 2007,” Koertzen said.

“I don’t think you can replace batsmen like Sachin and Brian in a day or two. The batsmen of these qualities and class are born in years and we are so fortunate to have seen them when they were at their brilliant best,” he added.

Rudi, as he is called by most of the players, made his international debut in 1992 at Port Elizabeth in a match between India and South Africa.

“Obviously you feel proud when you know that among a galaxy of quality umpires you are only the second to complete century of Tests and the first to stand in 200 ODIs. But it was never a target that I had set for myself after making my first-class debut in 1981,” Koertzen said.

“I still have the fire in my belly to improve, umpire in more matches and continue to enjoy the sport which has given me respect and recognition,” said Koertzen, who also stood in the Super Series Test between Australia and the ICC World XI in Sydney in October 2005.

Koertzen singled out Adam Gilchrist for “the most ruthless display of stroke-play” when he scored 204 against South Africa at The Wanderers in February 2002.

Among the bowlers, he said that Shane Warne was the stand out bowler of this generation while he also expressed his admiration for Glenn McGrath and Allan Donald.

“He (Warne) used to get the best out of the umpires by putting a lot of pressure on them. On numerous occasions, he bowled from my end and I have always found him testing my decision-making,” Koertzen said.

On the present health of the game, Koertzen said, “I think cricket has never been healthier and it is all due to the fact that it is in very safe and capable hands. It is the only sport that offers three excellent formats which give options to everyone to go and enjoy.

“We are also embracing technology at the right time, after extensive research and considerable debate. The Umpire Decision Review System, which is being rolled out in Tests from 1 October, is an excellent initiative and will help the umpires to make more correct decisions which are already in mid-90s percentage-wise,” he added.

Rudi is known for the the slow death. His style of giving batsmen out by lifting the finger slowly is legendary now. He is undoubtedly one of the best umpires the world has ever seen but more importantly he is one of the most respected umpires by the players which is rare in today’s day and time!


WPSN comments




Related News Headlines

  • No Related Post

Cricketain Latest