Rudi Koertzen

The cricket world has been paying tribute to Rudi Koerzten, the South African umpire, after he died in a car crash aged 73.

Kumar Sangakkara, the great Sri Lankan batter, was among the former players who shared their thoughts, tweeting: “Saddened at the tragic loss of Rudi Koertzen. What a wonderful friend and umpire. He was not only very good as an umpire but also an excellent colleague, always very cooperative on field and also always willing to help off the field. “Koertzen’s status as a legend of the game will live on for ever,” Cricket South Africa said in a statement.

Koertzen became an umpire in 1981 and made his debut as an international umpire in 1992 during India's historic tour of South Africa.

Koertzen still umpired occasionally in amateur cricket in his hometown of Despatch in South Africa's Eastern Cape. Koertzen became an umpire in 1981 and made his debut as an international umpire in 1992 during India's historic tour of South Africa. - Koertzen still umpired occasionally in amateur cricket in his hometown

Cricket icon, who pioneered the 'slow finger of death', dies in tragic car crash.

“So I started clasping my wrists at the back. The media labelled it the ‘slow finger of death’ and I found that pretty interesting. “The someone told me ‘Rudi, you cannot do that.

Former South African cricket umpire Rudi Koertzen, labelled the 'slow finger of death', has died in a car accident aged 73.

The media labelled it the ‘slow finger of death’ and I found that pretty interesting. Really sad to hear about the passing away of former umpire Rudi Koertzen. He was one of the sharpest and finest umpires that we've seen. Saddened at the tragic loss of Rudi Koertzen. What a wonderful friend and umpire. Condolences to the family and friends— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) #RipRudi pic.twitter.com/WxqbfbDfGG August 9, 2022 He was not only very good as an umpire but also an excellent colleague, always very cooperative on field and also always willing to help off the field. Because of the way he was, he was also well respected by the players.”

Rudi Koertzen, 73, was on the ICC's elite panel of umpires for eight years and officiated in 331 matches, a record at the time of his retirement in 2010.

South Africa’s Algoa FM radio station reported that Koertzen and three other people were killed in a head-on collision near the town of Riversdale in the Western Cape province. It became known as the “slow finger of death.” He was one of cricket’s most respected umpires. “It is a very big loss, foremost for his family and then for South Africa and cricket,” Dar was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Rudi Koertzen, 73, was on the ICC's elite panel of umpires for eight years and officiated in 331 matches, a record at the time of his retirement in 2010.

South Africa’s Algoa FM radio station reported that Koertzen and three other people were killed in a head-on collision near the town of Riversdale in the Western Cape province. It became known as the “slow finger of death.” He was one of cricket’s most respected umpires. “It is a very big loss, foremost for his family and then for South Africa and cricket,” Dar was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.