Umpire Marais Erasmus, a fixture in international cricket functions, has announced his retirement from the game. The venerable 60-year-old from South Africa has had a distinguished career overseeing matches across formats and continents.
Erasmus’ final assignment will be the upcoming Test series between New Zealand and Australia, marking the end of an illustrious journey spanning 80 Tests, 124 ODIs and 43 T20 matches. His contributions went beyond the men’s game as he also officiated in 18 women’s T20 matches with equal aplomb.
“I will miss the privileges and the travel. But I had had enough of being away and living out of my comfort zone. I think a more boring life is what I’m looking for. I made the decision in October last year and informed the ICC that I would end the contract in April and that would be it,” Erasmus told Cricbuzz.
The South African umpire’s prowess and dedication to the craft have been awarded the prestigious ICC Umpire of the Year award three times, a testament to his excellence in ensuring fair play and upholding the spirit of the game.
Reflecting on his decision to retire, Erasmus said he informed the ICC of his intentions in October of the previous year, stressing that his departure was not prompted by age but rather a natural progression in his career.
Prior to his illustrious umpiring career, Erasmus also graced the field as a cricketer, representing South Africa in first-class matches, further enriching his understanding of the game and enhancing his ability to make decisions with authority.
As Erasmus bids farewell to the international cricket fraternity, his legacy as one of the finest umpires of his generation will live on and leave an indelible mark on the sport he served with distinction for decades.
Erasmus spoke to news platform The Statesman about his plans after retiring from international refereeing: “For the first few months, I’ll just take the winter off. We have some travel around the country planned, and from September I will be in the hands of the CSA.”
