• Marais Erasmus has announced his retirement from international umpiring.

  • The ongoing Test series between New Zealand and Australia will be Erasmus last assignment.

Fans shower respect as ICC umpire Marais Erasmus announces retirement after the NZ vs AUS Tests
Marais Erasmus (Image Source: Twitter)

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Veteran umpire from South Africa Marais Erasmus has announced his retirement from international umpiring, culminating a remarkable career spanning across formats.

Cricket umpire Marais Erasmus bids farewell to International arena

In an exclusive interview to Cricbuzz, Erasmus, known for his stellar contributions to the game, said that the decision to step down was made in October of the previous year and has officially communicated his retirement plan to the International Cricket Council (ICC). Currently officiating in the Test series between New Zealand and Australia, Erasmus’s retirement will mark the end of an era in international umpiring.

“I’ll miss the privileges and the travelling. But I’ve had enough of being away and living outside of my comfort zone. I think having a more boring life is what I’m looking for. I decided in October last year and I informed the ICC that I would finish my contract in April and that would be that,” Erasmus said.

Prolific officiating career: Numbers that define Erasmus’s legacy

Erasmus, who transitioned from a seam-bowling all-rounder to an umpire, has left an indelible mark on the cricketing world. His impressive record includes officiating in 80 Tests, 124 ODIs, and 43 T20Is for men, along with contributing to 18 women’s T20Is. His role as the TV umpire in 131 men’s internationals across formats added further depth to his illustrious career.

Beyond retirement: Erasmus’s future endeavors in Cricket

Erasmus further disclosed his post-retirement plans. After a well-deserved sabbatical, he intends to collaborate with Cricket South Africa, bringing his expertise to officiate in domestic cricket. Furthermore, Erasmus expressed his eagerness to assume a mentorship role for umpires in his home country.

“For the first couple of months, I’m just going to take the winter off. We have some travel planned domestically, and from September I’ll be in the hands of CSA,” the 60-year-old added.

“We still need to finalise how they want to use me. I’ll umpire in domestic cricket next season and play a mentoring role. I might go to the Khaya Majola Week (a school event) or the club championships, and I’ll be watching and advising umpires,” Erasmus concluded.

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A triumphant legacy in Cricket officiating

Erasmus’s exceptional contributions were duly recognized with three ICC Umpire of the Year awards in 2016, 2017, and 2021. This achievement places him among the elite, sharing the spotlight with Richard Kettle borough and Aleem Dar, while Simon Taufel leads with five honours. Erasmus joined the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in 2010, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of cricket officiating

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