2024-03-01 07:23:46
Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews was ‘timed out’ for the first time in the history of international cricket in the last ODI World Cup. Marais Erasmus, the umpire who dismissed him, is now retiring, cricket website Cricbuzz has confirmed.
The Test between New Zealand and Australia in Wellington, New Zealand will be Erasmus’ last match officiating in international cricket. In this context, 60-year-old Erasmus told Cricbuzz, ‘I took the decision in October last year. I have also informed the ICC that I am not staying when my contract expires.’
Erasmus said that he will continue in domestic cricket after a few breaks even if he has given up umpiring at the international level. ‘After the first two holidays, I will go under Cricket South Africa (CSA). How they will use me will have to be finalised. Next season I will be umpiring domestic cricket.’
Erasmus’ umpiring career began in February 2006. His journey in international cricket began with the T20 match between Australia and South Africa in Johannesburg. Then in the last one and a half era, he managed 378 matches for boys and 79 matches for girls in three editions.
In 2010, Erasmus was included in the elite panel of the ICC. In his umpiring career, he officiated two ODI World Cup finals. The South African has also received the ‘David Shepherd Trophy’ as the ICC Umpire of the Year three times (2016, 2017 and 2021).